Temporary Fixes After Strike Disrupts Airport Travel, but Long-Term Solutions Unclear

Despite temporary measures put in place by the Saint Lucia Air and Seaports Authority (SLASPA) and affected airlines to address disruptions at Hewanorra International Airport following strike action last weekend, concerns persist about the long-term stability of ground handling services. Last Saturday, a sickout by workers with the airport’s sole ground handling provider led to operational delays and flight cancellations. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said reports indicated that about 80 per cent of the company’s staff had called in sick, resulting in inadequate ground services that “significantly disrupted airline schedules, inconvenienced passengers, and damaged confidence in Saint Lucia’s sole aviation gateway”. IATA expressed concern that reliance on a single provider creates an unnecessary risk to the aviation sector. While SLASPA and the affected airlines have since implemented temporary measures to assist travellers. However, is unclear what long-term solutions are being implemented for restoring normal operations. St Lucia Times reached out to SLASPA for an update on the steps being taken, as well as to inquire about the viability of having a single ground handling service for such a critical and volatile service.  A response via text message indicated that management “is not in a position to respond at...