The Tribune

By KHRISNA RUSSELL

Deputy Chief Reporter

krussell@tribunemedia.net

TWO multi-million dollar airports are in the works for Exuma and North Eleuthera, Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar announced yesterday, adding the new facilities could cost as much as $35m per project.

A new terminal and upgrades to the airport in Long Island are also proposed, the minister told Parliament yesterday.

While he did not give a ballpark figure for this undertaking, the Freetown MP said to expect the Public Treasury to pay for the airports is “unrealistic” and the government will look to public private partnerships (PPPs) to fund their construction.

He also warned “hackers” or pilots engaged in selling seats on planes without the appropriate licences for commercial activity to get properly certified and licenced, saying “no more” will they be allowed to carry out this practice.

“Everyone knows who the hackers are and I want to warn them, no more,” the minister said during his presentation to the mid-year budget debate yesterday. “Come into the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) and get yourself and your aircraft properly certified and licensed.

“We want to be able to make an honest living (and) not operate in the shadows with a business that is endangering the lives of the flying public. Please come through the front door instead of hanging out at the back door.”

He said the BCAA has implemented a number of new measures to do away with “hacking”.

These include: evaluating the single pilot air operator requirements with the goal of streamlining the process to encourage illegal operators to become compliant; the institution of a more structured on the job training programme for inspectors; conducting various enforcement investigations in conjunction with the legal council of the director general and capturing the new Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority logo to be displayed on approved operator aircraft among other things.

Regarding airports in the country, Mr D’Aguilar said the Airport Authority, although charged with managing 28 airports, receives a “pitiful” $6m.

With this budget insufficient to care for the needs of every airport, he said the authority has been asked to find new revenue streams.

“Every Family Island airport should have adequate seating, a roof that does not leak, air conditioning that works and a bathroom that is clean and functions,” he also said. “On the air side the bushes should be kept low, the runway lights should work and the perimeter should be kept secure. These are basic requirements.

“I am happy to announce the plans for the construction of a new airport in Exuma are well on the way and the plans for a new airport in North Eleuthera are about to commence.

“These two airports are experiencing significant growth in passenger volumes and are therefore slated to receive completely new airport infrastructure in this upcoming FNM term.

“I want to educate the public that these airports are extremely expensive. I estimate ball park, back of the envelope calculation that each of these airports will cost at least $30m to $35m to build. To expect the state to fund the construct of these airports from the treasury is simply unrealistic. The government will look to enter into public private partnerships to assists in the funding.”

He explained that in entering into this agreement, the investor will expect to be paid by the introduction of a passenger facility charge for every passenger that uses these new airports. This will be new for Family Island airports, Mr D’Aguilar said.