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Saba considers cross runway
by The Daily Herald
Posted: Feb 13, 2006 18:57 UTC
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SABA - Saba is investigating possibilities to construct a cross runway at Juancho Yrausquin Airport. The airstrip, which would be crossing the existing runway, would guarantee landings even with high winds.
An additional benefit of the cross runway, which would be some 600 feet longer than the existing airstrip, is that it would make it possible for slightly larger aircraft to land, explained Commissioner Will Johnson.
The current runway is 1,300 feet, making it possible for specific aircraft with pilots trained in short take off and landings, so-called STOL. A longer runway would mean that regular small aircraft without STOL compliance could come to the island, which in turn provides tourism opportunities.
However, the main reason for the consideration of a cross runway has to do with safety, he said. High winds, especially occurring in the winter months, at times make it impossible for aircraft to land, resulting in cancellations and delays.
An expert arrived on Saba Saturday, to look at the possibilities of constructing the cross runway, which would run towards the extreme tip of land on both sides of Flat Point. The ends of the runway would be resting on concrete pillars, which would be secured in the bedrock through drilling on both sides of the sea, Johnson explained.
Another runway that is constructed this way is at Madeira Airport. Saba’s cross runway, however, would be much cheaper than the one in Madeira, he said. He assured there would be no filling.
Johnson explained that Jeroen Angenent from Witteveen and Bos, stationed in St. Lucia, met with him, Bobby Zagers of the Planning Department and Island Secretary. The intention is that Angenent will inspect the airport and existing runway. He will report to a foundation Stichting ABC, which Saba had asspproached for assistance.
If the advice is positive, Saba’s government could draft a project dossier and financing proposal, which would be sent to the Netherlands for consideration. The expert’s visit is the first step, said Johnson. “Now we are just seeing if our ideas are feasible,” he said, explaining that a few years ago Grabowsky and Poort had also looked into the possibility. “But this didn’t work out,” he said. (By Suzanne Koelega)
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