By: Lindsay Thompson
NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Government officially handed over operations and management of the country’s main port of entry to Canadian aviation experts, marking the beginning of the transformation of the Lynden Pindling International Airport.
“The final price tag for the redevelopment of the airport into a premier facility is yet to be determined but new capital costs could be somewhere in the region of $400 million,” Prime Minister the Rt Hon Perry Christie said in his keynote address Friday, March 30.
“With thousands of additional hotel rooms now coming on stream or on the drawing board, my Government is moving in a timely manner to meet the vastly increased traffic demands at Lynden Pindling International Airport, and to do so at the highest international standards,” he said.
He added that thousands of new jobs, entrepreneurial opportunities and businesses would be created for Bahamians.
The Airport Authority executed a Transfer Agreement for 30 years with Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) to effect the engagement by the Airport Authority of NAD its independent contractor to perform the functions of management, maintenance and operations of the airport.
It also calls for the transfer by the authority to NAD of certain assets and confirm the continuance of all contracts of employment relating to certain employees.
The Bahamas Government will continue to be responsible for the operations of customs and immigration, air traffic control, meteorology, police and security and passenger screening. The Government may, however, delegate certain responsibilities for passenger screening and security to NAD.
“The execution of these agreements creates the framework for a strong private sector/public sector partnership,” the Prime Minister said.
It is envisioned that NAD will be able to without Government guarantees, finance the capital costs and operation of the airport, and to assume the current dept of the Airport Authority from a passenger facility charge of $15 per departing international passenger; $5 per departing domestic passenger, other airport fees and revenue generated from rentals and concessions.
In October 2006, a 10-year Management Agreement of the airport was executed between the Airport Authority, Nassau Airport Development Company Limited and Vancouver Airport Services of Canada.
The Airport Authority Act makes provisions for that body to engage an independent contractor to perform the functions of management, maintenance and operation of the airport, as a commercially viable entity.
In furtherance of its goals, the Airport Authority has incorporated the Nassau Development Company Ltd (NAD) for the sole purpose of effecting through NAD, the transfer of these functions to Vancouver Airport Services.
Plans, to be executed immediately, call for improving physical and sanitary conditions of the airport; alleviating congestion in the parking lots and vicinity; minimize and streamlining passenger security check; a new United States Pre-Clearance building and new domestic and international facilities.
Also unveiled during the ceremony was a flight data information board at the to enable passengers, and those receiving passengers to view up-to-date information on arrivals.
The Prime Minister thanked the Government’s partners for overseeing the execution of the transfer, after about four years of negotiations.
