Repercussions from an alleged downgrade of the John A. Osborne Airport

ZJB News is investigating reports of an alleged downgrading of the John A. Osborne Airport in Gerald’s Montserrat.

Information is sketchy at the moment but information reaching ZJB’s newsroom alleges that the regulator Air Safety Support International (ASSI) made the decision based on a number of recent findings and observations.

Based on regulatory safety oversight, to grant and hold an approval/certificate is contingent on auditing by both the holder and ASSI.

On behalf of the Governor of Montserrat, ASSI must be satisfied that a Service Provider meets the requirements at all times.

Compliance-based auditing checks that a Service Provider is meeting the requirements are done against the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order; Overseas Territories Aviation Requirements (OTARs); and Service Provider’s Manuals with Procedures and Policies.

The UK is signatory to the Chicago Convention which means that all constituent parts of the UK, including the OTs, are bound by the provisions within the Convention.

John A Osborne airport is therefore subject to the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and is regulated by Air Safety Support International Limited (ASSI), a subsidiary company of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

As a UK OT, Montserrat must also comply with UK aviation policy which states that ICAO Recommended Practices should be complied with as far as is practicable.

It is still not clear what the reason is or reasons are for the alleged downgrade of the John A. Osborne airport. And ZJB News will continue to probe in this important developing story.

In related news, The Montserrat Civil Service Association has expressed concern over the termination of night shifts at the John A Osborne Airport.

President Nyota Mulcare says officers who cover the night shifts received letters from the Human Resources Department this week, informing them that the night security position would no longer be required effective June 1, 2023.

Mulcare says the correspondence indicated that this development was due to the downgrading of the airport from Tier 1 to Tier 2.

Mulcare also raises questions the significance of the downgrade and its impact on the island.

Meantime, ZJB News contacted Premier the Honourable Joseph Farrell for a comment on the night security matter.

He stated that there were discussions since last year with with Air Safety Support International relating to the number of security officers at the airport.

Premier Farrell revealed that at one point the Cabinet agreed to an increase in the number of security personnel as requested by the Ministry of Communications Works Energy and Labour.

After lengthy discussions between ASSI and the ministry Cabinet was informed that there was no longer a need for an increase in the compliment of security officers at the airport and that the position of night security would be made redundant, as a result of the downgrading of the airport.

Premier Farrell says the understanding was that the current night security would be absorbed into the day shift or offered another placement.

It is also his understanding that the condition of service and the salary for the night security was higher than the day and to give them another position, a different contract had to be agreed to.

However, the Leader of Government Business states that the intent is to absorb the two officers into the public service.

He points out that a planned meeting was canceled but both will be given offers of employment.