Antigua - V. C. Bird Airport

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda recognised the need to improve safety and capacity for air traffic at V. C. Bird International Airport at St John’s in Antigua. They approached the European Investment Bank (EIB) for finance. At the suggestion of the EIB the Government decided to employ independent consultants to determine the operational requirements and undertake the project management. In open competition following EIB procedures, SAL was awarded the contract.

SAL determined the operational requirement and agreed it with the local authority, APUA. After due notification in the European Journal SAL produced the Invitation To Tender for a monopulse secondary surveillance radar and the associated display system. Analysis of the operational requirement highlighted the need for an extension of the communications channels, intercom facilities between the Tower and the new Area/Approach room and also the need for a voice communications control system (VCCS). Introduction of the new radar displays in the Tower gave rise to the need for new ATC consoles and Tower layout.

The invitation to tender was extended to include these new features. Both Technical specification and contract were produced and issued on behalf of the Government. The tender replies were evaluated and our recommendations accepted by APUA and the EIB.

On contract award, SAL was retained to provide advice and assistance in the project management. During the implementation phase, SAL was closely involved in all aspects of system design, implementation and testing. In addition SAL provided training to the operations staff to fine tune the Flight Data Processing System ensuring that the system complied with their particular requirements. The system was successfully trialled and tested prior to handover to the customer.