Posted by: Editor on Apr 04, 2007 – 11:18 AM
newsandinfo The Bahamas Hotel Association (BHA) and its members have heralded the “long overdue” handover of Lynden Pindling International Airport to the Canadian management team from Vancouver Airport Services (YVRAS) as potentially leading to an enhanced visitor experience.
The official handover took place on Friday, and Russell Miller, the BHA’s president, told The Tribune that the industry was extremely pleased the contract has finally been signed. “We are very pleased that this has happened; it has been a long time coming,” he said. “We are delighted that the necessary improvements will be made. We look forward to working with and assisting the Government in any way we can.”
Mr. Miller said he did not think the airport’s condition was a deciding factor in whether persons returned to the Bahamas, but acknowledged that it could leave a bitter taste in a visitor’s mouth on the way home if they had to endure long lines and poor conditions.
He also responded to the comments made by US ambassador John Rood that air traffic to the Lynden Pindling International Airport has decreased by 8-9 percent since June 2006. “I don’t know where his numbers are coming from so I can’t comment, but we just announced that our first quarter numbers [for 2007] are down slightly, which is not overly alarming. We expect to start the third quarter very strong, and we expect the levels to pick up from March,” Mr. Miller said.
Mr. Rood last week expressed concerns that in the past two-and-a-half years, not much has been done in terms of beefing up security at the Lynden Pindling Airport, but Mr. Miller said he did not think visitors felt unsafe when they moved through the airport.
“If anything, I think that they appreciate the fact that they have the first check point downstairs and another one upstairs, because it makes them feel there is a secure process,” he added.
British Colonial Hilton general manager, Peter Webster, said that the airport handover was “fantastic. It is something that is long overdue. This is very important because the airport is the first and last impression that our visitors have, and we are delighted with the signing,” he said.
Mr. Webster also appreciated the security concerns. “We are living in a changing world and security is very important. So we have to be very cognizant of that,” he added. Mr. Webster acknowledged Bahamian concerns stemming from the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) and the fact that tourism numbers have seen a slight decline, but said his property has not seen any impact.
“The Hilton has just had our best quarter ever, but of course we cater to a different clientele, business clients, and not the leisure market,” he said. The much anticipated handover of the management of the Lynden Pindling International Airport took place on Friday, with Prime Minister Perry Christie announcing that the complete transformation of the facility could cost up to $400 million.
The Government and Vancouver Airport Services (YVRAS) executed agreements which finalize the transfer of management, operations and responsibility of transforming the airport into a world-class facility to the Canadian company.
The Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) a subsidiary of the Airport Authority and YVRAS will handle the day-to-day operations of the airport and redevelop it into a premier facility.
The transformation of the airport is envisaged to take place without requiring financial guarantees by the Government, and with NAD also taking over the debt of the Airport Authority.
To help finance the large-scale project, passenger facility and security fees are being introduced. Passengers departing for international destinations will be asked to pay a $15 facility fee, while domestic travelers will be charged $5 for the use of facilities.
Every departing passenger will also be asked to pay a $7 security fee. The Prime Minister reiterated that construction and management objectives for the redevelopment of the airport will be carried out in two phases, with Phase 1 anticipated to be completed at the end of 24 months.
Phase 1 will include high-priority projects, such as improving the physical and sanitary conditions of the airport; alleviating congestion associated with US pre-clearance; alleviating parking conditions and air side congestion; managing adequate check-in spaces for additional air traffic growth; facilitating group travel and minimizing and streamlining passenger security checks.
Phase II is divided into four stages and includes the construction of new facilities and the renovation of existing ones. During the first stage of Phase II a new US pre-clearance building will be designed, constructed and opened. The second stage will encompass the construction and completion of new US and international arrival facilities.
Then, in a third stage, the airport will receive new international and domestic departure facilities.
Stage four includes the improvement to the general area of the airport, such as the landscaping of the premises, and will take place during the stages already mentioned.
Source: The Tribune
2nd April, 2007