Work on Dominica’s international airport project is moving forward, but the government says a series of legal challenges is slowing key phases of the development. The delays, according to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, are not technical or financial but stem from court matters that continue to disrupt the workflow of the agencies responsible for driving the project.
The Prime Minister explained that several lawsuits were filed by individuals, including a former Chief Physical Planner, contesting aspects of land acquisition and regulatory decisions taken in the early stages of planning. While he noted that every citizen has the right to seek judicial review, he stressed that these cases have real consequences for national development.
He noted that the airport requires continuous coordination among engineers, planners, survey teams, and administrative units. However, instead of dedicating their full attention to site assessments and technical design, many staff have been forced to spend hours preparing legal documents, responding to affidavits, and attending hearings. This redirection of expertise, he said, slows momentum and affects the scheduling of critical tasks.
The Prime Minister described the airport as one of Dominica’s defining infrastructure investments, a project intended to reshape the island’s connectivity, strengthen tourism, and expand access to global markets.
He said the project is designed to serve future generations, positioning Dominica to compete more effectively within the region and internationally. Against that backdrop, he expressed disappointment that ongoing litigation has added avoidable friction to the development timeline.
Despite the challenges, the government is continuing with components of the project that remain unaffected by the court process. Geotechnical work, land preparation, and aspects of engineering design are still underway. The Prime Minister said teams are working closely with international partners to maintain progress wherever possible, even as parts of the workflow are disrupted. He appealed to the public for patience, emphasising that large national projects often face hurdles, but determination and steady work will carry the airport forward. He also called for a more cooperative spirit, saying the airport is not a political trophy but a long-term national necessity that benefits every Dominican.
The Prime Minister added that the government will address every legal challenge through the appropriate channels while staying focused on the broader objective: completing an international airport capable of transforming Dominica’s economic prospects and providing greater opportunities for its people.
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