New Airstrip for St Elizabeth

Persons wishing to make a quick trip by air to the Treasure Beach area of St Elizabeth will now be able to do so come Thursday, December 16 when the 250,000-square foot Lionel Densham Aerodrome opens at Short Hill in the parish.

Located on property owned by hotelier Jason Henzell of Jake's in Treasure Beach, the airstrip comes in response to a survey that showed that the roads leading to Treasure Beach were deteriorating, with no immediate efforts by authorities to repair them. Henzell told Outlook that the immediate option was to buy the available land located in proximity to the police station and construct the aerodrome.

"I am very impressed by the support and efficiency of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, the National Environment and Planning Agency, the National Works Agency, the St Elizabeth Parish Council, the Jamaica Fire Brigade and the Ministry of National Security,' Henzell said. He disclosed that he had shared the idea with Prime Minister Bruce Golding last year after the annual bird-shooting season, and Golding gave it his blessing. Golding and Minister of Transport and Works Mike Henry will be among the dignitaries at Thursday's opening of the aerodrome. It starts at 10 a.m.

The aerodrome is named in honour of Henzell's grand-uncle Lionel Densham, who was among the pioneers of Jamaica's aviation history. Densham was one of the first Jamaicans to own a plane, start a flying club and even had an airstrip in Gilnock in the parish.