Cabinet Ministers Tour Lynden Pindling International Airport
By Betty Vedrine Bahamas Information Services
Nassau, The Bahamas – Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, along with several cabinet ministers and senators, toured Phase Two of the construction site at Lynden Pindling International Airport, June 15. Phase Two commenced in the spring of 2012 with the demolition of the then existing US departures terminal and will end in the construction of a new international arrivals terminal and pier at 226,000 square feet. The budget for this phase is estimated to be around $129 million.
Mr. Christie said he was “happy” to be back at the airport, given that it is a project he initially started.
“During my last term in government, we saw a need to expand the airport due to the many projects coming on stream at the time – Albany, South Ocean, Phase three of Kerzner International, Bahamar and the Ritz Carlton on Rose Island,” said Mr. Christie. “As a result of what was going on, we new that we had to put the infrastructure in place to meet the needs that would have arisen.” Mr. Christie also gave some background information on the contract negotiations for the management of the new airport by the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD).” He explained that the Vantage Airport Group (formerly Vancouver Airport Services – YVRAS) was chosen to oversee the operations of the airport due to their experience in pre-clearance facilities and their ability to integrate culture into the whole ‘airport’ concept. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Obediah Wilchcombe said that the airport is a vital component in the country’s overall mission of beefing up the tourism product. “In order to take the country to the next level and to effectively compete and to take back our place in the tourism industry, we must take our product to a level of excellence,” he said. “This airport makes that possible.” Stewart Steeves, President and CEO, NAD, gave an overview of the project and said that the total project work is 75 percent complete by value. “The current Stage II work is 100 percent contracted and also 75 percent complete by value – with an expected opening in October 2012,” said Mr. Steeves. Phase I of the project was completed last year resulting in a new 247,000- square foot terminal. It is anticipated that the current Phase II portion will be completed in the fall of this year, with the entire project scheduled for completion in November 2013. The new airport, which is budgeted to cost $409.5 million will include a $10 million state-of-the-art baggage system, eco-friendly building design features and artwork on display by local Bahamian artists, including Nicole Sweeting, John Beadle, John Cox and Susan Katz-Lightbourn. The new facility is expected to create 150 – 200 jobs. There are approximately 450 workers on site for this second phase, of which Bahamian labour represents 70 percent. In addition, work for Phase II has been awarded to 30 percent Bahamian firms – roughly equal in participation to United States and Canadian firms. Stage three will entail the construction of a new domestic/international departures and new domestic arrivals terminal at 112,000 square feet is projected to cost $84,000 to construct. The entire project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2013.