Skyport is confident that essential construction work at the facility will have little impact on local residents.

Essential upgrades to the runway approach lighting system at LF Wade International Airport are due to begin next week.

At a public meeting last night, Skyport officials and an engineer heading up the project explained that steps had been taken to mitigate any disruption or disturbance caused by noise and vibration from the construction work.

Warren Moulaison, Skyport’s director of facilities and asset management, opened the meeting by explaining that the upgrades were needed for the airport to meet international safety standards.

He noted that an effective approach lighting system would enhance safety of aircraft operations, particularly during periods of poor visibility

The revamp will involve installing sets of approach lights mounted on concrete blocks in the waters of Annie’s Bay.

Mr Moulaison explained that the existing mountings were more than 40 years old and had “reached the end of their useful life”.

Dale Beaton, an engineer with Tristar, a subsidiary of construction firm Aecon, which built the airport, said that the project’s timetable had been dictated by a number of factors.

Mr Beaton explained that much of the work would take place at night when the airport was not operating.

But the most disruptive work, involving vibratory hammering and diesel impact hammering, would be carried out between the hours of 7am and 10am.

The nesting habits of cahows has also impacted the project’s timetable. Heavy construction work has to be completed by the end of April so not to disturb hatchlings on nearby Nonsuch Island.

Area MPs Tinée Furbert and Kim Swan were at the meeting, along with only five members of the public.

Mr Swan expressed concern that properties in St David’s could be damaged from vibrations caused by drilling.

But Mr Beaton assured him that the construction site was about half a mile away from the closest properties.

Phase one of the project is expected to be complete within three months. A second phase will be carried out in November, when new state-of-the-art lights manufactured in Europe, will be installed.

News of any developments during construction will be posted on Skyport’s website at https://bermudaairport.com/