The Tribune

STANIEL CAY airport, which has been closed for seven months for runway repairs, reopened to air traffic yesterday, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation has announced.

A Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued by the Department of Civil Aviation, advising that the new runway is classified as a Code 2b airport, with a newly paved runway 3,000 feet long and 75ft. wide.

The airport will be open from sunrise to 3pm daily until final construction on the Runway End Safety Area has been satisfactorily completed. It is anticipated that this process will be completed in two weeks, allowing for regular operational hours from sunrise to sunset to be reintroduced.

The Department of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Works determined that it was necessary to close the airport on April 9 after safety concerns came to light during a routine runway inspection. Bahamas Hot Mix was subsequently contracted by the Ministry of Works to undertake the needed repairs.

The Ministry of Transport and Aviation and Department of Civil Aviation thanked the residents of Staniel Cay and other visitors to the Exumas for their patience during the runway closure.