Yesterday Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves threw the switch for the first explosion on Glossy Hill which will provide material for the land reclamation to extend the airport.

The air strip will be extended from its current 3,625 ft to a total of 5,872 sq ft when completed. The existing terminal building will also be expanded from 5,872 sq ft to 15,600 sq ft while the control tower will be raised by some three metres.

Speaking in Canouan yesterday Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said that the Jet Port will be an important gateway from the Eastern sea board of the USA to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He further noted that the airport will transform Canouan and the rest of the Southern Grenadines. He said that already there is increased investment activity in Union Island and Canouan as a result of the airport extension.

General Manager of the Construction Company Ellena Korach said the airport extension will run up to the north west end of Glossy Bay on reclaimed land. Some 380,000 cubic metres of material will be blasted from the north side of Glossy Hill to reclaim the land.

The new jet airstrip will begin to accommodate jets such as the A320 carrying over one hundred and twenty passengers by the end of 2007.