Continental Director: Piarco almost Category 1

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES’ Caribbean Director Frank Galan yesterday predicted that Piarco International Airport would soon regain the Category One status it lost some time ago. Speaking with Sunday Newsday at a ceremony to inaugurate Continental’s first flight from Port-of-Spain to Newark Liberty International Airport, New York, Galan said: “We feel very honoured and secure that the airport system here is almost at Category One which is very difficult to get. There should be no problem in getting that passed and authorised.”

Last month, Works and Transport Minister Franklyn Khan expressed optimism that Piarco would regain Category One status by April 2004 and Government will be bringing the necessary legislation to Parliament early in the new year. Galan indicated that he had visited all 15 of Continental’s Caribbean destinations (Trinidad and Tobago being the 15th) and of all the airports in these countries Piarco “is by far the best.” “It ranks right up there with a lot of the better airports around the world,” he declared. Galan stated that Continental felt very “grateful and honoured” to add TT to its list of Caribbean destinations and if people love coming to TT, “we’re going to love bringing you here.” He added that Continental will be competitive and adhere to rules of both the US Federal Aviation and TT Civil Aviation Authorities. Galan also said Continental will work closely with Tidco in promoting TT as a tourist destination, especially during this country’s annual Carnival celebrations.