An international airport is to be built at Lethem in Region 9, as the Government pushes ahead with its plans to create closer links between the coast land and the hinterland, while seeking to boost international travel.

At the commissioning of the Aishalton Airstrip today, President Irfaan Ali announced plans to construct an international airport at Lethem, as well as a new airport terminal at Aishalton in the same region.

“In a few weeks, you will see an Expression of Interest launched for a new, modern airport in Lethem that will have all the facilities like any other airport. All of these things are critically integrated in your human, economic, physical and infrastructure transformation,” the President noted.

He also announced that Jags Aviation has agreed to lower its costs for air travel to Aishalton and Paramakatoi with effect from February 1.

The President said the new airstrip will improve access to healthcare, reduce cost of living, improve market access and opportunities, and create better connectivity, while boosting tourism.

“This is a building that will be constructed here so that you will have a proper terminal to welcome your visitors, there will also be immigration and police services. So, you see already, this one investment is stimulating maybe another $50M of investment in this building so that an important plan for your tourism product is now satisfied,” the President stated.

It was also announced that 31 additional airstrips will be constructed to boost hinterland travel and improve aviation infrastructure.

“As I said earlier, we are planning an international airport in region 9, we are planning a municipal airport in Rosehall, Canjie in region 6, in region 1 are planning the construction of an Airstrip in Mabaruma, the rehabilitation and extension in Port Kaituma and the upgrade of many other airstrips,” the President noted.

The President said the building out of the aviation infrastructure is to facilitate development for the next 100 years.

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