The redevelopment of the nation’s main gateway is two-thirds complete as officials are gearing up to open the $144 million International Arrivals terminal at the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) on Tuesday.
While presenting at the West Rotary of Nassau meeting recently, Vice President of Airport Development Stewart Steeves said when completed the new terminal will see 3 million to 5 million more passengers per year.
“The capacity for larger aircraft will also increase. Upon completed we will have six dedicated US jet bridges, two swing positions and four apron positions, which equals 12 possible US positions, compared to the five in the original terminal,” he said.
“In addition there will be two dedicated international jet bridges, two swing positions and two apron positions equaling six international positions, which is equivalent to today, although the capacity is underutilised today.”
Mr. Steeves said although officials have built the new terminal by reusing the old US departures terminal, it would not be noticeable.
“Arriving passengers will experience bright, open spaces with lots, of natural light, bright cheerful colours in the carpeting, seating and on the walls, expanded immigration and customs areas, hotel reception lobbies, six specially commissioned pieces of Bahamian art work, rotating artwork exhibits from the national art gallery, outside gardens, wide uncongested sidewalks, additional parking and thankfully shorter walking distances,” he said.
“We feel a real Bahamian sense of place will be evident in this new terminal and the terminal has been completed in an environmentally friendly way. Rainwater collected on the roof is used for flushing, roof overhangs for natural light without excessive solar heating, low height air diffusers keep cool air at a human level – instead of up high in the ceiling space and geothermal wells circulate cooling water 400 feet deep to assist the air conditioning system.”
According to officials, the redevelopment project employs 70 per cent Bahamian workers with about 2,500 jobs created and about 500 workers on site at one time.
LPIA’s concession programme has also brought on jobs.
Under phase one of the project 13 retail locations and eight restaurants, bars and lounges were created. Stage 2 will see four retail locations, three restaurants and bars and six hotel reception lobbies and phase three is expected to see eight retail locations, six restaurants, bars and lounges, a post office and a bank.
“The concession program has so far created about 200 new permanent jobs at LPIA with more to come,” Mr. Steeves said.
“We have provided NAD staff with training on everything from customer service to technical systems training – and these are some systems. All systems are world class and new to the airport from bridges to baggage systems from environmental control to IT and phone systems – the list goes on.”
The executive said NAD’s main goal is to have 170 Bahamian employees to be led by a majority of Bahamian executives within one year of the terminal’s completion in about two years from now.
NAD is also actively marketing LPIA.
“We are working aggressively on route development – for more access to more places to drive passenger traffic and the economy including new six times per week Copa service to Panama City with connections throughout South America, new Delta service to LaGuardia, new daily JetBlue service to Westchester Country, New York, additional JetBlue frequency to Fort Lauderdale and new Sunwing service to Toronto,” Mr. Steeves said.
The airport is under the leasing of the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) and the company hired Vantage Airport Group to privately and independently manage the airport.
The company has 21 investors with 60 per cent being overseas and 40 per cent here.
