St. Kitts’ new Private Jet Terminal nears completion, will generate economic activity in the local economy, says Uday Nyak
(CUOPM) The new Private Jet Terminal (FBO) at St. Kitts’ Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport is nearing completion and should be officially opened in December.
Leeward Flight Services (LFS) will operate the state-of-the-art terminal which will provide a number of services including the company’s unique YU Lounge for both commercial and private passengers in a world-class luxury environment arriving or departing the Federation’s international gateway.
“An FBO adds value to the high-end and business traffic. As St. Kitts is attracting more high-end hotels like the Park Hyatt, Kittitian Hill, Christophe Harbour and other upcoming prestigious projects, you will find more and more business people and business jets coming in. When these type of jets and passengers come in, they expect a different type of service and this is what Leeward Flying Services can provide,” said the company’s Chairman, Uday Nyak, adding: “We give them a service that they are accustom to back home.”
He said such a service also gives St. Kitts recognition where such a facility is available for high-end traffic to accommodate the big spenders.
“It’s the big spenders that generate money into any economy and so we need them to come to the island,” said Mr. Nyak.
He added that LFS with its opening in December – the peak of the season – will also attract a substantial amount of business from the neighbouring islands.
“People who go to St. Maarten or St. Barths will now be able to land their aircraft in St. Kitts,” said Mr. Nyak, who disclosed that the facility at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport can handle up to 50 persons at any one time.
“We can accommodate 30 people in the main lounge and another 20 persons just outside in the open area,” said Mr. Nyak, pointing out that the level of service provided by his company is that of a five-star hotel where value is given for money to private jet passengers.
He said the private jet terminal will also have offices for Immigration and Customs.
“We have fibre-optic links installed between our terminal and the main airport and we are fully wired up. All passengers will go through the normal immigration and customs processes. The only difference is that the immigration documents will be handled by our staff while the passengers will be sitting instead of standing in line,” said Mr. Nyak.
He said LFS is seeking to recruit some 15 to 20 ambitious, proactive, dynamic individuals completely dedicated to guest satisfaction to be part of its team at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport.
At least 95 percent of the staff will be drawn from the local community and generate employment in the national economy, but some overseas personnel will be brought to oversee operations in the first few months and locals trained to take over from the expatriates.
He disclosed that specialists, who train the staff of Singapore Airlines crew and upscale resort chains, have been hired to come to St. Kitts to train local employees.
The high level of training capability will also be made available to other local stakeholders including the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA).
“We will have an Operations Manager, Lounge Manager, concierge services and the general services. Basically the concierge services will take care of everything. We are basically a cross between an airport and hospitality,” Mr. Nyak said.
The three main buildings will house administration offices including customs and immigration, security and sterile area, passenger arrival and departure halls.