The government stands to make millions of dollars in departure fees and landing taxes following upgrades to Bimini’s International Airport coupled with the completion of a cruise jetty on that tiny island.

According to Genting Group Chairman K.T. Lim, $44,000 was collected in such fees and taxes back in 2012 and another $115,000 the following year.

The Asian based company has invested tens of millions of dollars into air and sea transportation to Bimini. It is also behind the multi-million dollar Resorts World Bimini Casino.

“In 2013, Resorts World Bimini increased airlift to the island 12-fold by operating sea planes and private jets on a daily basis,” Mr. Lim said.

“…Other improvements include expanding the airport terminal, lengthening the airport’s runway from 5,400 to 6,200 for larger commercial flights.”

Mr. Lim was speaking at a brief ceremony marking the inaugural night flight to Bimini International Airport, only the third airport in The Bahamas that is capable of take-offs and landings around the clock.

On board Resorts World Bimini’s custom-made Lear jets were Prime Minister Perry Christie, several Cabinet ministers and Bishop Neil C. Ellis, who hails from the tiny island.

Addressing about 150 people who had gathered on the airport’s tarmac, Prime Minister Christie said opening Bimini’s airport to night flights will further stimulate economic growth and jobs by greatly facilitating high casino clients travelling by night, visitors from nearby South Florida, who would wish to fly over to Bimini for the night to enjoy its delights and compelling relaxed environment and night flights by scheduled carriers.

The first international flight was expected to land on Friday at 9:00 p.m.

Also touting the economic impact of such an investment was Transport and Aviation Minister, Glenys Hanna-Martin, who said the night flights will open new markets which have been untapped, leading to increased market activity for Biminites.

We believe that night flights will provide economic enhancement as an add-on to the traditional scheduling of commercial flights during sunlight hours and to the impact those flights have on the economy,” she said.

“Night flights will ultimately call for increased employment, new concessions and fees and new revenue streams from the purchase of goods and services from other sectors in the economy to the supply chain to airlines and the airport and indeed the community at large.”

Work is currently underway to facilitate night flights into Marsh Harbour, Abaco; Moss Town, Exuma; Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera and San Salvador.

“This is just the beginning for The Bahamas…We expect this to invigorate those communities,” she said.