There’s only one more phase of the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) to complete as Nassau Airport Development (NAD) authorities officially revealed the nation’s main gateway’s $144 million International Arrivals terminal last evening.

The 226,000 square foot facility houses Bahamas Immigration and Customs, a state-of-the art baggage system, four restaurants, lounges and six hotel reception lobbies.

During the official opening ceremony of the terminal, President and Chief Executive Officer Stewart Steeves the $405 million redevelopment project is a vision that began with Prime Minister Perry Christie back in 2003.

“The new LPIA has a distinctive Bahamian sense of place. The new LPIA has created opportunities for Bahamians. The new LPIA will allow for air service growth and the new LPIA will provide a world-class customer service experience,” he said.

“You trusted us with your vision Mr. Prime Minister. Today I believe and hope you will be pleased with the efforts of the professionals-tradespeople and artists – that made your vision a reality.

Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin said LPIA is critically important to Bahamian life as it facilitates the movement of people and goods throughout the archipelago.

“The concept underlining our gateway airport is that this infrastructure should reflect our culture and colours and music that it should provide new economic opportunity through the grant of concessions and the creation of new employment and career opportunities that ultimately will be a transfer of knowledge in the field of airport operations thereby creating new streams of opportunity for our people; that it would facilitate economic activity in our country and that it should reflect the high standards of excellence and efficiency that we extol as a people and that all of this would become immediately apparent to all those who would traverse the terminals to and from our nation’s capital,” she said.

“Airports are important especially to us in The Bahamas not as abstract pieces of steel but as critical engines to strengthening our social and cultural cohesion as one people and also to spark and unite economic potential and diversity of our wonderful island communities.”

Prime Minister Christie said he is very proud of the airport as it is a key asset, which will deliver on time three very modern essential terminals, US pre-clearance, international and domestic arrivals and departures.

He added that the airport is the building stone for other government projects.

“This modern masterpiece of an airport, our deep water harbor and Prince George dock improvements capable of accommodating the world’s largest cruise ships together with plans for the revitalisation of the historic downtown City of Nassau are interconnected to a number of major projects, which were and are still being fostered by my government such as phase three $1 billion expansion of Atlantis, the $2.5 billion Baha Mar resort which comes on stream in 2014, the high-end Albany residential and golf resort and Family Island anchor resort projects,” the prime minister said.

He added that he is proud that the airport is named after the country’s first prime minister the late Sir Lynden Pindling.

“One of the most important considerations is that we are building not only a world-class airport, but a lasting tribute to the father of our nation and architect of the modern Bahamas Sir Lynden Pindling,” he said.

The prime minister said there is work in store for other airports in the country.

“As we celebrate the on-going realisation of this centerpiece of a modern Lynden Pindling Airport facility in Nassau, other airports throughout the length and breadth of The Bahamas will need to be progressively mordernised and brought up to international standards commensurate with the growing needs of each island.”

Officials also announced that a bronze statue of Sir Lynden will be placed in the front of LPIA to commemorate the country’s 40th independence anniversary.

In a few short weeks, work will begin on LPIA’s domestic terminal.

Officials expect that to be completed by next fall.