PRESS STATEMENT
Flights at Grantley Adams International Airport impacted by faulty runway edge lights circuit
From Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill
At 5:40 p.m. today I received a report from the Grantley Adams International Airport of a faulty runway edge lights circuit. This will impact incoming and departing flights at GAIA beginning this evening, Tuesday February 14, 2023. The electrical team at the airport is currently assessing the situation to see where the fault occurred.
As a consequence, the Civil Aviation Department issued a NOTAM (notice to airmen) to alert the airlines and air operators of the issue and advise them of the runway closure. Noting the challenge, the teams at the airport were able to work quickly to facilitate the departures of Air Canada (AC 963) and British Airways (BA 254) this evening and I can report that they left safely.
We have reviewed the schedule and the following six incoming flights will be impacted this evening. They are:
KLM 781
BW 408 (Caribbean Airlines)
BW 417 (Caribbean Airlines)
VS 188 (Virgin Atlantic)
VS 131 (Virgin Atlantic)
AA 1853
The following six outgoing flights will also be impacted:
BA 2154
BW 409 (Caribbean Airlines)
KLM 781
BW 417 (Caribbean Airlines)
VS 188 (Virgin Atlantic)
VS 132 (Virgin Atlantic)
As I stated earlier, the electrical teams on the ground are working assiduously to assess and repair the damage, and another report will be issued tomorrow morning.
We acknowledge that this interruption will impact both international travellers and Barbadians using the airport. The management team at the airport is working with the airlines, Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), and other stakeholders to facilitate accommodation of impacted passengers.
The airport will reopen tomorrow, Wednesday, February 15 at 6:06 a.m. to inbound and departing flights.
We thank everyone for their patience and understanding and assure you that returning functionality to the runway edge lights circuit is our top priority.
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