The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) yesterday said it would work with industry partners to implement new US aviation security requirements at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA).

Jan Knowles, NAD's marketing and communications manager, told Tribune Business in an e-mailed reply that implementation of these changes at LPIA will fall under the purview of the Airport Authority, which is responsible for security, and airlines servicing US destinations.

Dionisio D'Aguilar, minister of tourism, recently admitted in an interview with Tribune Business that the short timeline given to meet enhanced US aviation security demands was "causing concern", with the greatest impact likely to be felt at Family Island airports.

He confirmed that the Government was currently assessing whether the Bahamas' airports possess the necessary equipment and trained staff, and in sufficient quantities, to conduct the enhanced explosives screening and more rigorous security checks demanded by the US Department of Homeland Security.

The Department's guidelines, disclosed after the New York Times obtained an International Air Transport Association (IATA) memo, require all 280 airports that are the last points of departure for the US to possess equipment capable of detecting explosive residue on passengers' hands.

This must be in place within 21 days, with the tougher security checks initiated by fall 2017. The New York Times reported that airports which fail to implement the explosives-detecting equipment could be cut-off from direct flights to the US.

Ms Knowles said yesterday: "NAD is aware of the recent changes to global aviation security requirements by the Department of Homeland Security. The major implementation of these changes at LPIA will fall under the purview of the Airport Authority, who is responsible for security at LPIA, and our airline partners who service US destinations.

"As the airport operator, NAD will work with these partners to support the implementation of the changes and the passenger experience at LPIA."