The Tribune

The Government's bid to privatise Nassau Flight Services (NSF) is "probably six to eight months away from coming to a conclusion", a Cabinet minister has revealed.

Dionisio D'Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, said the potential sale of the government-owned ground handling provider will be open to Bahamian investors only.

Addressing a recent Client Appreciation Cocktail Reception at the Balmoral Club, hosted by Nassau Flight Services, Mr D'Aguilar said: "It is our fundamental belief that the private sector, in the hands of Bahamians, will serve the customers better; would bring about significant investment in Nassau Flight Services; will allow it to be more profitable; and will result in more modern equipment and improved services.

"The private sector is more nimble, and is better able to react to the changing markets. So this government wants to change a policy that has been in effect for many years, which is the government has to run everything and that is why we are moving in that direction."

He added: "The government has expressed an interest in seeking to put into the hands of Bahamians companies that are presently in the hands of the government. And so we are going to explore this privatisation process. The accountants are looking at it, they are coming back to us with an evaluation, and then it has to go to Cabinet to see whether we can get approval for it.

"Once we have that, then we will open it up to Bahamians - only Bahamians - to apply if they would like to invest in Nassau Flight Services; to rejuvenate, to reinvigorate, to reinvest in Nassau Flight Services to allow for its rebirth."

Mr D'Aguilar said a key component in any privatisation is to ensure NFS employees "are taken care of", and that they and clients "are not disrupted during this process".

"We would want to ensure that the employees of NFS are protected, are cared for, are looked after as a part of this process," he added. "I don't want anyone to be unduly concerned. Of course change is always of concern, but we are very mindful that we want to do something that causes the least amount of stress for the employees.

"Rest assured we are very mindful of ensuring that you, the employees, and you, the customers, are not disrupted during this process."

Nassau Flight Services has been in existence since 1957. As a ground handling company, it provides planning and management, passenger services, aircraft services and ramp handling, cargo services and VIP services at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA).