In anticipation of increased traffic flows at the Governor’s Harbour Airport early in 2024, as commercial international airlift returns, with American Airlines commencing direct flights once again, beginning on February 3rd – construction has begun to expand and upgrade the main terminal building which services both international and domestic departures, as well as domestic arrivals.
During an interview on December 6th, 2023, Mrs. Dornell Cooper, Eleuthera Regional Director with the Bahamas Airport Authority, based at Governor’s Harbour, said she was excited to inform about the recent and ongoing upgrades at the airport facility. She confirmed that the entire roof of the departures terminal had been replaced several months earlier, during the month of August 2023 – which corrected legacy issues with leaking.
She described further, saying, “We are putting an extension on to the main terminal in Governor’s Harbour, so we are looking at extending about 60 feet going south [of the current structure], and about 15 to 20 feet going north, which will hold extended check in areas, as well as office spaces, and more seating to accommodate people departing – new seating, as well as concessions… Some upgrades will also be done at the customs and immigration terminal where international arrivals are handled.”
It was expected, said Mrs. Cooper, that construction works in Governor’s Harbour would be completed during the month of January 2024.
She stated that in addition to American Airlines in February, Silver Airways, which had suspended operations during the slower late summer/early fall period, would also be returning with flights to Governor’s Harbour, beginning in January 2024.
Director Cooper highlighted that private international charter flights were also on the rise, with services like Aztec Airways, and Odyssey private charters in operation, augmenting the vital domestic carriers that are consistent air transportation providers throughout the year – like Bahamasair, Pineapple Air and Southern Air.
The airport in North Eleuthera witnessed the arrival of the Deputy Prime Minister’s promised temporary facility to house an extended departure lounge, during the month of October. Mrs. Cooper confirmed that work is continuing to ready the temporary facility for use. She shared, “Right now, for safety reasons, and then also to give the traveling passenger some comfort, due to the space on the porch, and other inconveniences – you would have seen the temporary facility that we are installing. That is intended to host departure passengers.”
She continued, “I cannot give a time frame on when that will be operational. I am hoping that it might be ready before the end of this year, or shortly thereafter. It is in the process of completion, but I don’t have a time frame. The plumbing is already in, the electricity is in there. The floor is down and it is spacious. They are working right now on the walkway – so once passengers are on stream and in the terminal, they will have a walkway path. Passengers will be in the new space until they board their flight.”
Earlier in the year, fifty new seats, said Director Cooper, placed in different areas of the terminal, both on the airside and landside were brought in to replace and augment seating capacity, as well as two new 24 BTU air conditioning units for inside the terminal at the North Eleuthera airport.
“I am am happy to see that some upgrades are being done. It is not what we really wanted, because you know North Eleuthera has long outgrown its space. Hopefully, in 2026 we can look forward to a new airport,” said Mrs. Cooper.
