MRS. JOAN GILBERT MBA, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF PSIA

TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE THE PSIA THE BEST IT COULD BE

Chief Executive of PSIA Mrs. Joan Gilbert explains that the airport’s Master Plan calls for the periodic expansion of the airport in various aspects to facilitate the projected influx of passengers that will be arriving at the PSIA.

The expansion happened to coincide with the hosting of ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 and therefore the PSIA board and management decided to push the project and get it ready for the event but the plans had been in the making for more than 5 years.
Mrs. Gilbert gave an outline of what the projects entails and began with the expansion of the check-in area since the idea is to have everybody checking in at one particular location.
The previous method saw passengers checking in at several different areas depending on the airline they were traveling on. Gilbert said the new arrangement which is required under the master Plan will affect a smooth flow of passengers since all persons will be checking in at one particular area.

This new method of checking in has been extended to what the CEO described as a one stop operation. After people check in they will go straight to the Service Charge area, make the necessary payment and then depart through the designated security checkpoint.

FROM LEFT) CEO MRS. JOAN GILBERTT, MAINTENANCE MANAGER - WHYME COX

So check-in area, service charge area and banking facilities are all in one location making life easy for the traveler.
An area of concern had been the existing departure area which was considered much too small. In an effort to remedy this, an additional departure lounge has been created upstairs to augment the one downstairs.
The upstairs departure lounge will be accessed by elevator, escalator and stairs proving that the airport authorities are taking the needs of everyone into consideration.
The downstairs will continue to accommodate the shopping facilities as it will the government’s VIP lounge but upstairs will also have a VIP lounge and some shops.

The airport CEO said proudly that when the project is finished it is something that Grenadians will be able to feel proud of since it gives that international feeling.
The first class passenger lounge downstairs will be demolished creating an expanded and much bigger departure area there in addition to the new area upstairs. The intention of the authority is to open up the VIP area upstairs to Grenadians so business concerns who may have associates coming in from abroad have the opportunity of using the VIP lounge at a cost to facilitate their visiting executives.

The arrival area as well has been expanded but besides expansion that area has been redesigned and reconfigured. The immigration desk has been relocated to create a more welcoming atmosphere. Now as soon as the visitors enter they meet the immigration officers.

There is now an information desk for visitors who need additional information complimenting the work of the Grenada Board of Tourism.
The Ministry of Health also has a presence at the PSIA to take care of persons coming with any illness that will require their attention.

The baggage claim area has been expanded with about 7000 sq. feet of additional space, about the same increase as the arrival and departure lounges.
This additional space will facilitate bigger flights coming in. The airport will now have the capacity to accommodate 4 or 5 wide-bodied aircraft according to the CEO.

Gilbert said the area of parking is also being looked at although it is not really part of the expansion project but a security consideration. She said the PSIA authorities were warned that the car park is too near to the ramp so there was no choice but to relocate it to the opposite side. That is now being worked on.

A few months ago the configuration of the traffic arrangement at the airport was changed and this too is for security reasons because the situation that existed before saw the huge gasoline tankers coming through the airport.
In this era of terrorism the question of airport security, Gilbert said is of paramount importance and neither the passage of persons not related to the airport nor of fuel tankers passing in front of the terminal could have been allowed to continue.
In response to critics who argue that this happens in Trinidad or in Barbados, Gilbert responds that in those countries the ramp is located a considerable distance from the terminal building so if anything should happen close to the terminal building it does not affect the ramp.
In our case though, the ramp practically adjoins the terminal so if anything should happen in from of the terminal it would certainly affect the ramp.

Gilbert reiterated that she and her staff have a responsibility to secure passengers and other users of the airport. She explained that while some of the changes that the airport authorities make may not be in keeping with the master Plan, sometimes events around the world force them to implement a lot of directives that are issued from time to time by international agencies that govern civil aviation around the world. She said as long as the threat of terrorism is present the airport will have to react to them.

The airport CEO said Point Salines must maintain its reputation on the international scene. Flights coming from our country must not be subjected to extra scrutiny because we are seen as being slack where security is concerned so the authority must honor its responsibility to protect people using its facilities and protect our reputation as a traveling destination.

The developmental work taking place at PSIA is now about 90% complete. The deadline for completion is June 15th taking into consideration that the escalator and elevator will take about a month to install.

Admitting that being human at first the challenge of managing the airport seemed a little daunting, Gilbert said she however jumped in with both feet.
Holder of a masters Degree in Business Administration in addition to her employment background she felt she was qualified and had the experience to take up the challenge.
She took the opportunity to advise people especially the youth that when you prepare yourself through education you will not back down from any challenge that comes along.
Gilbert said it was indeed a challenge preparing for Cricket World Cup while at the same time managing the $20 million dollar project but she enjoyed it and will do it all over again.

NEWLY REFURBISHED DEPARTURE LOUNGE

The airport authority is now not only depending on civil aviation activities for revenue but is trying to attract businesses to the airport that will cause people to come there whether they are traveling or not.
Provision is now being made for additional shops and getting into the habit of having a food court so persons can come to the airport and meet friend and socialize.
Looking into the future Gilbert said having an international airport running the way it should run according to international standards is one thing but having the human resource buy into it, having them up to a certain level of personal development and qualification would be ideal.
She said whatever structures there are in place there must be the human skill, knowledge and competence behind it to drive it forward. Her vision therefore is to get staff to develop themselves to their maximum potential .