AS THE need for speedier shuttling of people and goods increases, airports are increasingly becoming a hub for economic development and there is a corresponding demand for them to be bigger and better equipped.
Airports can become powerful engines of local economic development, according to Dr. John Kasarda, professor at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, in the United States, who coined the term “Aerotropolis” to describe an aviation-oriented economic region that is corner stoned by an airport.
Following their overseas counterparts, many U.S. cities have embraced the Aerotropolis vision as a way to infuse growth into – or revitalise – their local economies. Yet, problems remain on how airports are generally viewed in the U.S.
According to Dr. Kasarda, “In Asia and the Middle East, airports tend to be treated as the primary infrastructure asset for their cities and nations to compete in the globally-connected, speed-driven economy. In the U.S., airports are often treated as nuisances to be controlled – an unfortunate view that places our own cities and metro areas in economic peril.”
He adds:  “The term Aerotropolis refers to a new urban economic form that we’ve seen emerge over the past decade as commercial activities are increasingly drawn to airport areas, creating city-like business environments.  This process is transforming many city airports into airport cities.  Analogous in shape to the traditional metropolis made up of a central city and its rings of commuter-heavy suburbs, the Aerotropolis consists of an airport city and outlying corridors and clusters of aviation-linked businesses and associated residential development.”
“Airports have become key nodes in global production and enterprise systems, offering speed, agility, and connectivity to the cities they serve.  This has made them major magnets for time-sensitive manufacturing and distribution; hotel, entertainment, retail, convention, trade, and exhibition complexes; and office buildings that house air-travel intensive executives and professionals.  Such development is positioning airport areas as catalysts of renewed urban economic growth, typically complementing and enhancing downtown development by providing reinforcing businesses and services.” (Source: MuniNet Guide).
Guyana, which is set for economic takeoff, has only one international airport and tremendous work was done to bring it up to international standards and work is ongoing on the next major airport at Ogle to ensure it provides a first-class international service which can accommodate regional carriers, such as LIAT and other airlines with larger aircraft, from next year.
Chairman of the Airport Board, Mr. Michael Correia (Jnr), reported recently that Phase One of the upgrade has been completed and Phase Two, which includes an extended and widened runway, an expanded terminal, widening taxi ways and a new apron to facilitate the larger aeroplanes, is well under way.
At the graduation of 22 Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School students, last Friday, he said the airstrip at Ogle is being enlarged by 200 feet, from 4,000 feet, as carriers had requested.
Mr. Correia announced, too, that the board has received a commitment from Minister of Public Works, Mr. Robeson Benn, with respect to the installation of an enhanced air navigation system at Ogle, early next year.
He said Phase Two, with its bigger runway and increased facilities, will open the door for LIAT and other airlines with larger aircraft and that Ogle Airport is working closely with a team from LIAT to ensure all flight safety and security requirements are in place and compliant.
Domestic operations will also be subject to a higher level of security scrutiny, he said, adding, “We are very serious about this collaboration with all parties to assure that Ogle Airport Inc. provides a first-class international service.”
This is most encouraging news because Guyana needs another major airport with international standards, especially in light of having increased interest by investors, particularly in the mining sector. At the same time it will be of immense benefit to the local tourism sector which is picking up momentum at a steady pace.
The Ogle Airport project is also another fine example of public/private sector partnership which is worthy of emulation in the process of national socio-economic advancement.