Brand new aerodrome to lift Short Hill high

André Gordon, Gleaner Writer

SHORT HILL, St Elizabeth:

THE TOURISM industry on the south coast is expected to get a major boost with the opening of a new aerodrome at Short Hill, near Treasure Beach, today.

"We see this as a way to position Treasure Beach as a premier destination in the Caribbean," said Jason Henzell, chairman of the St Elizabeth Parish Development Committee and Jakes Holdings.

The 2,500-foot runway aerodrome will operate charter flights from the other major aerodromes in Jamaica, and is expected to open up the south coast to more tourism traffic.

St Elizabeth currently does not have an active aerodrome, but had airstrips at Gilnock, Black River, Holland and Thatch Field in the past.

Henzell said if young people start seeing positive developments in the parish, they might want to remain there after college.

"People don't want to leave. All they want are unique ways of adding value to agriculture and tourism, so we need to be proactive and properly position our parish to facilitate our people," he argued. Henzell said the aerodrome would not necessarily make money, but would bring investments to the parish to help develop it further.

Eight flights have been booked for the aerodrome to date. Test flights have also been successfully completed by the Jamaica Defence Force and a local pilot.