The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune News Editor

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

AN OIL spill from a small private aircraft shut down Lynden Pindling International Airport’s only operational runway for more than an hour on Sunday, disrupting eight flights and temporarily leaving the country’s main airport without a usable runway.

The spill occurred at about 12.19pm on Runway 10/28, according to Nassau Airport Development Company, forcing the runway to close while emergency and airside safety crews assessed and cleaned the area.

It reopened at 1.37pm, about 78 minutes later.

Five outbound flights and three inbound flights were affected.

The incident was especially significant because LPIA is currently operating with just one runway. Runway 14/32 has been out of service since August 24 for scheduled pavement rehabilitation works and is not expected to return to operation until the end of October.

That meant the temporary closure of Runway 10/28 left the airport without an active runway until the spill was cleared.

NAD said its Airside Safety team and Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting personnel responded immediately after the spill was reported.

The company said an investigation is underway to determine what caused the oil leak from the private aircraft.

NAD advised passengers affected by Sunday’s disruption to contact their airlines directly for updated flight information.

The airport operator said the ongoing rehabilitation of Runway 14/32 remains on schedule for completion at the end of October.