Night Work Keeps VC Bird Airport Runway Project on Schedule
Work on the US$55-million airfield rehabilitation project at V.C. Bird International Airport is progressing on schedule, with construction crews working through the night to meet key deadlines, airport officials said.
Operations Manager Rex Daly said crews are currently milling and paving the base core of the runway as part of Phase Four of the project, adding that overnight work has become necessary to maintain momentum.
“Crews continue to work all through the night, milling and paving the base core of the runway, ensuring the completion deadlines are met,” Daly said during a site visit.
He noted that while the landing portion of the runway will be ready in time for the busy Christmas travel period, additional work remains on the take-off section.
“That’s good news for the landing element,” Daly said, adding that “the smooth takeoff portion will take a bit more time to complete.”
Project officials said approximately 9,000 tonnes of asphalt have already been laid, allowing arriving aircraft to land and roll out smoothly during the holiday season. Work on the displaced threshold for Runway 07, which affects take-offs, is scheduled to begin in the new year.
“We have not gotten into the displaced threshold 07 as yet. That will commence in the new year. Once that is complete, we will have smooth takeoff,” a project representative said.
Director of Operations at the Airports Authority, Joseph Samuel, said current activity focuses on preparing the runway’s foundation, with more intensive work planned after Christmas.
“What you’re seeing here this evening is the milling and paving of the base core,” Samuel said. “After Christmas, early in 2026, the efforts would be increased to ensure that the top course or the surface course of the runway will be completed in the shortest possible time.”
Samuel said the Airports Authority, along with contractors ACON and Avia NG, remains confident the project will be delivered on schedule.
“Based on what is obtained now, we are confident that we will be on time,” he said, noting that airfield rehabilitation is targeted for completion by September next year, with the full runway expansion expected to be completed by November 2026.
The project is intended to ensure V.C. Bird International Airport remains compliant with the highest international aviation safety and operational standards.
