GRANTLEY ADAMS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT INCORPORATED (GAIA Inc.) officials have dismissed suggestions that the process for awarding shops to concessionaires has been compromised.

Unconfirmed reports had indicated over the past months that people connected to GAIA Inc. had benefited from the award of concessions process.

Additionally, there were charges that an Irish company had joined with a local concern in the acquisition of some of the shops.

But in an interview with the DAILY NATION, GAIA Inc.'s chief executive officer, Leon Romero, said he was not aware of anyone involved in the concessions programme having connections to GAIA Inc. He said the process was "completely transparent".

Romero said those who had applied were assessed by a concessions committee of the board and their applications went to the full board for approval.

He added GAIA Inc. was presently working toward bringing the entire concessions programme to fruition and expected that by early next year all the concessions would be up and running. He said there were about 16 retail shops and seven food and beverage facilities.

Though Romero could not give a specific figure at the time, he said the concessions programme would be an important part of its revenue-earning portfolio.

The airport boss noted advertising would be another one of the avenues through which the airport would seek to make money. He indicated that GAIA Inc. had recently selected an advertising contractor to facilitate this effort. (WG)