Police were yesterday investigating an alleged theft from an airplane that was tied down on the ramp of Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA), Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) confirmed.

According to Ezra Russell, owner of the charter company Marlin Air, his seven-seater plane was stripped of over $60,000 worth of equipment over the weekend while on the ramp.

Russell said he planned to store two of his four airplanes in Bahamasair's hangar, but based on limited space, he opted for a tie-down on the ramp.

The radar, radio, transponder, GPS system and other essential equipment were stripped from the aircraft, he claimed.
Russell said he returned from London, England on Sunday night, after he was contacted about the incident.

When contacted, NAD said it had not received a complaint regarding Marlin Air, but it was advised that the police were investigating the matter.

It said, "Given the preceding, NAD is not in a position to provide further information."

Russell said he does not understand how thieves managed to steal the equipment from a secure facility where there is a security presence.

"I don't know," he said. "It honestly beats me.

"But you know what really [ticks] me off?

"We are over here trying to lift this plane, and not one of them are out there; NAD, Airport Authority, just us.

"This is dangerous to the economy of The Bahamas.

"You can imagine that people can't bring their planes to the airport because [people] are going to steal all the instruments out of it and sell it.

"They want landing fees, but they don't seem to care."

Russell said the impact to his charter business is severe.

"In order to use that airplane, I have to find $60,000-$70,000 to put those instruments back in to be able to use the plane," he said.

Royston Jones Jr., Guardian Staff Reporter

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