The Tribune

By Fay Simmons

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

A senior official with Grand Bahama International Airport’s prospective operating partner last night said it is “working very closely” with the Government to make its $200m transformation a reality.

Andy Tyler Smith, director at Manchester Airports Group (MAG), that airport manager is working with the Davis administration to develop a schedule and timeline for how the project will proceed.

He explained: “We’re working very closely with the Government on leveraging the airline relationships that we have, and working with them to provide a form of service to The Bahamas. The timeline for the airport really is a piece of work that we’re undertaking now. So, we’re working very closely with the Government to move that along as quick as we can.”

Speaking after a UK trade mission, of which Manchester Airports Group is part, arrived in The Bahamas yesterday, Mr Smith said the company operates the largest cargo hub in the UK with its airports fielding 440,000 tons of goods and 60 million passengers annually.

He said: “We’re the largest airport group in the UK. So we’re transporting around about 60m passengers currently. We have a huge cargo operation. We undertake 440,000 tons of cargo through our East Midlands airport.

“We’re the largest dedicated cargo hub in the UK, and I think those relationships, certainly with the likes our customers that we have there, UPS, FedEx, etc, it will be great to be able to work with them in Thr Bahamas.”

The trade mission will visit Grand Bahama on Wednesday, and Mr Smith said that Manchester Airports Group can make a “huge difference” for the island. He hopes to start building relationships with local partners during the visit.

“[We want] to build the relationships with people locally. It’s going to be really, really important just to get a real understanding of how we can bring a benefit to the island,” he added. “I’m really excited to go back there because I think Manchester Airports Group can make a huge difference to the island.”

The airport operator is also interested in international connections and has an “eye” on other Family Island airports. Mr Smith said: “Manchester Airports Group certainly has aspiration to look at international development. And The Bahamas is one of the first. I’ve certainly got my eye on lots but not nothing as yet.”

The Government is seeking private-public partnerships (PPPs) for 14 Family Island airports in a bid to upgrade these destinations at a collective estimated cost of some $263m.