T&T contractor lands US$243M airport contract in St Lucia

Local contractor, NH International (Caribbean), has secured a US$243 million (EC$666 million) contract to expand St Lucia’s Hewanorra International Airport, even as construction firms T&T continue to raise concerns about delayed payments and the slow rollout of government projects. NH International was founded and is chaired by veteran contractor Emile Elias, who has been in the construction business for 61 years.

The contract, which was signed by NH International with the St Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) on October 20, covers construction of a new 274,000-square-foot, three-storey passenger terminal as an extension of the existing facility, along with associated airside infrastructure. Completion is targeted for late 2029. The new terminal will feature five contact gates equipped with passenger boarding bridges, an additional aircraft parking position and provision for future expansion to eight gates. It will also include expanded departure lounges, immigration and customs facilities, upgraded baggage-handling systems, restaurants, duty-free shopping and premium lounges. Airside works will cover aircraft aprons, drainage and floodlighting.

The contract brings Elias back to Hewanorra 32 years after he built the airport’s existing terminal.

The contractor recalled the company's longstanding connection with Hewanorra, expressing pride in being selected to undertake the next major phase of the airport's development.