Since June 27, 2023, Dominica’s Douglas-Charles Airport has been grappling with technical issues that have disrupted not only the critical Barbados-Dominica route but also set off a chain reaction affecting other regional connections.
Amid this challenging scenario, a senior official from Dominica Airport today offered a glimmer of hope, anticipating a resolution to the problem that would enable flights to land after sunset.
interCaribbean Airways, a major operator on the impacted route, has been significantly affected by these disruptions. The consequences have been felt as an increased number of missed flights and delays, resulting in disrupted travel plans for numerous transit passengers.
A spokesperson from interCaribbean Airways provided insight into the situation by stating that an internal memo, issued by the Airport Manager on July 1, 2023, revealed that the wind instrument on runway 27 has been malfunctioning for the past eight days, hampering the airport’s ability to handle post-sunset arrivals.
Despite initial hopes for a quick return to standard operations on June 30, 2023, at 6:00 am (1000 UTC), the issue lingered, increasing the uncertainty for both passengers and airlines. With the implementation of a temporary solution, flights may now land after sunset as of today, July 1, 2023. However, the airline advises passengers to maintain close contact for real-time updates.
The entire airline community remains hopeful for a swift resolution. The anticipation is high, fostering optimism for the restoration of smooth operations across not only the affected routes but also the wider regional network.