A recent weather diversion of an American Airlines flight shows why Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport needs expansion, Claude Skelton Cline said on the Oct. 7 edition of “Honestly Speaking.” He called it “a national security issue, not just a tourism challenge,” and urged the government to quickly issue an expression of interest and a request for proposals, explain any delays, and set a clear timeline.
Cline said the diversion underscored reliance on a single short runway with limited all-weather capacity, adding that predictable airlift is critical for medical emergencies, disaster response and the tourism economy. “You gotta build this airport,” he said, calling for clear milestones from EOI to contract award.
He tied air access to stalled room supply, pressing for the long-delayed Prospect Reef redevelopment to proceed in parallel. “Prospect Reef has been delayed for too long,” he said, adding that airlines and investors will expect additional “beds” if airlift increases.
While supporting new capital, Cline warned that foreign direct investment must avoid what he called “economic colonization.” He urged contracts that secure reasonable investor returns without crowding out local businesses, including transparent concessions, performance benchmarks, and targets for local jobs, training and suppliers.
Cline said public, regular updates on procurement and financing for both projects would help manage expectations and maintain confidence among residents and investors.
