The completion of construction of the Leonard Thompson International Airport in Marsh Harbour has been hindered by "logistical and design issues", Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin said.
Hanna-Martin said she will make a detailed status report about the airport when Parliament meets on Wednesday, but was concerned that the facility, while aesthetically pleasing, would not be sustainable without placing a drain on the public purse.
"For example, the air traffic control tower has no electrical power, no facility was made for electrical power; things of that nature have caused the opening of that airport to be set back," she said.
"There are also some other aspects of design which I have been disappointed by in terms of efficiency, energy conservation, whether or not the airport can sustain itself. These are the issues that we are now dealing with, but one of the major issues was the tower."
Hanna-Martin said the Christie administration is also worried about the airport's runway.
"The runway's length only accommodates a certain size aircraft and when you consider the size of that terminal which anticipates an increased market, the runway does not accommodate that," she explained.
"We've been looking at extending the runway and we're finding that is going to be quite cost prohibitive so we are trying to make a determination whether or not it should be done. The airport in itself has a number of issues construction issues, electrical issues. All of these matters are being redressed as we speak."
Hanna-Martin said she could not say offhand how much it would cost the government to fix these issues.
"It's a beautiful facility, however, we've been advised by specialists in airport design that the design is not ideal in terms of efficiency and because of that there will be issues of sustainability which for us is a matter of major concern because the Public Treasury cannot take on an increased burden by an airport," she said.
Last year, FES Construction Company was awarded a $27.3 million contract for construction of an international terminal, air traffic control tower and fire/crash rescue facility at the Marsh Harbour airport.
The airport's existing 3,315 square foot terminal will be razed and replaced with a new terminal west of the current building.

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