After eight months of analysis, the Department of Transportation of the United States issued on Wednesday the first notification in favor of granting Puerto Rico a waiver for the transfer of cargo and international passengers on the Island.
Now begins an additional period of fourteen days for public comments and thus issue the final determination, as announced by the Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC), Manuel Laboy Rivera.
“Although this determination is not final, it represents a significant advance for this administration and an eventual economic development tool of great importance. It is also an indication of the restoration of the federal government’s trust with Puerto Rico. Once the final determination is received, the Island will become the first air hub of US territory in the Caribbean. With this authorization for two years, the term also imposed on jurisdictions such as Alaska, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands, we have the ability to generate more traffic and air cargo, which puts the Island in the international eye.
In addition, it will give way to the development of warehouses, manufacturing and other economic activities which will cause an exponential injection into our economy. It should be noted that subject to the final determination by the federal entity, this approval would be for air cargo and passengers, unlike other jurisdictions mentioned above, whose dispensation is only for air cargo, ”Laboy Rivera said in written communication.
The DDEC secretary also explained that “this authorization is excellent news for Puerto Rico. If we take the case of Alaska as an example, we could generate about 90 direct and indirect jobs for each flight that arrives on the Island, after the approval of this dispensation. According to a report from Technical Studies, INC., This authorization will allow at least ten new flights to be generated per day, which would create over 900 new jobs and an increase in the payroll of about $ 30 million. In addition to the establishment or expansion of other related industries in various areas of the Island. ”
The Port Authority collaborated in the efforts to obtain the waiver that will allow the transfer of international cargo in Puerto Rico and that was requested for international airports: Luis Muñoz Marín, in Carolina; Mercedita, in Ponce; and Rafael Hernández Colón, in Aguadilla.
The interim executive director of the Ports Authority, Joel Pizá Batiz, stressed that, “this first notification of this important dispensation for the transfer of international air cargo and passengers will allow us to continue strengthening the facilities of our three international airports, which It will represent greater economic activity and job creation in them. This is a historic event that will foster economic development for our Island. ”
Finally, the secretary of the DDEC said “our agency will develop a marketing plan to publicize the advantages that Puerto Rico offers for the aviation industry. At the same time, it will evaluate the viability of the development of free zones, the establishment of warehouses and everything related to the arrival of tourists, increase in commerce and the transportation industry, among others. Through this initiative we comply with the public policy of the governor to explore new economic sectors that contribute to the development of the Island, ”concluded the secretary of the DDEC.
