The creation of new air routes and the establishment of greater airline presence should be a priority for the development of Antonio Rivera Radiques Airport in Vieques.
Those are the objectives of a pair of proposals introduced by the New Progressive Party minority leader in the House of Representatives, Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez.
The first proposal is House Bill 28, which would establish an annual allocation of $200,000 from a new fund, the Incentive Fund for Airlines and the Development of Air Access, with the goal of helping airlines that travel continuously to Vieques and Culebra establish or expand routes to regional airports.
The other proposal consists of the implementation of the federal Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which provides economic subsidies and funds to guarantee flight operations in regional airports throughout the United States and its jurisdictions, as would be the case with Puerto Rico.
“For us, the development of regional airports in Puerto Rico is a priority,” said the representative of District 36 (Río Grande, Luquillo, Fajardo, Ceiba, Vieques and Culebra). “Today, with an investment of $13.8 million, the landing strip at Rivera Radiques in Vieques was repaved. This facilitates the arrival of more airlines, as well as support companies, which in turn will generate more jobs for Viequenses.”
“Two mechanisms exist that will immediately help the development of this facility, House Bill 28, which will be presented in January and which establishes some unique incentives for Vieques and Culebra that facilitate the expansion of routes and will attract new airlines,” Méndez Nuñez added. “At the same time, the EAS, which will not be used at Eugenio María de Hostos [Airport in] Mayagüez, can be implemented in Vieques.”