Lynden Pindling International Airport is expected to close this afternoon and remain closed until Hurricane Irene has passed, the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) said yesterday.
NAD noted in a statement that the airfield closes when winds surpass 40 knots.
The storm is projected to hit New Providence by this evening.
Yesterday, Senior Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) Eugene Butler said between 500 and 600 flights are expected to be cancelled.
The majority of the 69 airports in The Bahamas will close at some point as a result of Hurricane Irene, Butler told The Nassau Guardian.
"We want to minimize, as much as possible, the inconveniences to the public and especially our visitors," Butler said.  "The primary concern is the safety of all."
He pointed out that repairs to any damaged radar would be costly and could delay the re-opening of airports.
Butler said the department is focused on properly securing air traffic equipment.
Meanwhile, Bahamasair announced yesterday that it will operate two flights to Freeport from Nassau today (6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.)
It will also fly from Freeport to Nassau (7:15 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.)
A flight into Marsh Harbour from Nassau was scheduled for 6:30 a.m. and a flight from Marsh Harbour to Nassau at 7:25 a.m.
All other domestic flights have been cancelled.
Bahamas planned to operate several flights into Florida this morning.
The airline is expected to resume operations on Friday.
As Hurricane Irene made its approach yesterday some pilots from different charter companies flew their planes into other territories like Cuba for safety.

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