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| Minister of International Business and International Transport, George Hutson (FP) |
Civil Aviation plays a critical role in Barbados’ development!
Speaking at a church service to mark Civil Aviation Week at the Providence Methodist Church last Sunday, Minister of International Business and International Transport, George Hutson, congratulated the Civil Aviation Department on its 60 years of operations. He stated: "During this time, the officers of the department have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the safety and proper regulation of aviation in Barbados.
"The lives of the travelling public, dictate that officers are thorough, efficient and pay attention to the smallest detail in the performance of their duties… In their business, the slightest error could lead to the loss of many lives."
Mr. Hutson pointed out that the Civil Aviation Department was the division responsible for ensuring that the laws and regulations governing air transport are kept up-to-date and adhere to the international standards and best practice principles recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The International Transport Minister hoped that the week of activities, centred around Civil Aviation Day tomorrow, Wednesday, December 7, "will bring greater focus to the contribution that civil aviation has made and continues to make to the development of Barbados", including giving Barbados a reputation of excellence in the Caribbean and globally.??
Celebrations will continue with a Flag Raising Ceremony tomorrow, Wednesday, December 7, at the Grantley Adams International Airport and there will be a presentation to various schools in the airport’s surrounding environs on career opportunities in the industry.
Mr. Hutson observed that the presentation to the schools was "important, as it is our young people who will continue the development of civil aviation in Barbados in the years ahead." He asserted: "We must make provision for young persons to come into the industry and we must create career opportunities for them."
In this light, Minister Hutson announced that Coconut Airways Limited has been accredited by the Civil Aviation Department to provide training to young people who are seeking careers as pilots. "Some 16 youths will complete their Private Pilot License Training within the next six months," he stated, while highlighting that Barbados had a tradition of?? providing the initial training to many persons who have gone on to obtain their Commercial Pilot License and to fly for many of the major commercial airlines including LIAT.
Civil Aviation Week, which runs from December 4 to December 10, is a global celebration that seeks to create and consolidate worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to both the economic and social development of all nations.