The Tribune

BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – The Ministry of Transport and Aviation has officially taken over air traffic control responsibilities in Freeport, ending nearly 50 years of private operations at Grand Bahama International Airport.

An official handover ceremony was held yesterday at the new FOB Building, where Grand Bahama Airport Company officials turned over the operations to Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin.

The minister said the take over of such a critical function in aviation services on Grand Bahama is very significant.

“Today is a momentous day. We are pleased to have a more substantive stake in this critical service on this island,” she said.

The government has retained the employment of 23 Bahamians – 19 non-radar air traffic controllers and four electronic technicians.

All of the other employees were given very “attractive” compensation packages by the Grand Bahama Airport Company.

Veteran air traffic controller Philip Carey, who has been employed at the GBAC for the past 42-years, will retire. Also leaving are veterans Mervin Wright, president of Grand Bahama Port Authority Workers Union, and Joan Cartwright.

Minister Hanna-Martin said all the employees were offered the opportunity to stay on with the government.

She noted that the government is in the process of hiring an additional 10 trainees.

The Grand Bahama Airport Company, which is owned by the Hutchison Whampoa Group of Companies, was the private operator and manager of the airport and seaports on Grand Bahama.

Godfrey Smith, CEO of GBAC, Freeport Harbour Company, and Freeport Container Port, said Grand Bahama International Airport has been under private air-traffic control management for nearly 50 years.

“It has always been a common conversation and now it has come to fruition. We accept the change – it is something that is timely,” he said.

“It is admirable, and I give my sincere appreciation and regards to the Bahamas government for taking on and sharing in the responsibility for air traffic services and the responsibility of an airport.”

Minister Hanna-Martin said: “The aviation sector, under auspices of the Bahamas government, is under transition and being re-shaped in a most significant way.”

She revealed that the creation of a Civil Aviation Authority is expected to take place by 2014. It will function in a purely regulatory capacity, she said.

Mrs Hanna-Martin also noted that airport operations will go to an Airports Authority. She said Civil Aviation will no longer be involved in the operation of airports in the country.

“This is being seen as we speak at the Marsh Harbour Airport, where the airport is going to ownership of an Airport Authority which will contract out to a private entity for the management of the MH airport,” she said.