An estimated $105 million has been awarded in construction contracts to Bahamian firms involved in the Lynden Pindling International Airport's (LPIA) redevelopment to date, as the final phase of the project nears completion, Guardian Business can confirm.
The Nassau Airport Development Company's (NAD) Chief Executive Officer and President Vernice Walkine noted that just last month there were 303 workers on-site, with 74 percent of the labor being Bahamian to date.
At the peak of the project's construction, Walkine said there were more than 350 workers on-site.
On Friday morning, Prime Minister Perry Christie, along with members of his Cabinet including Minster of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin and Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe toured LPIA's final phase.
Earlier this year, NAD officials told Guardian Business that millions of dollars have been injected into the local economy as a result of LPIA's third and final phase.
Since construction began in 2009 on LPIA's $409.5 million expansion, hundreds of construction workers have reportedly put in more than 107,000 man-hours on the site.
In June, Walkine confirmed to reporters that LPIA's final phase is expected to be completed ahead of schedule for November and on budget at $83.5 million.
At the time, she said there have been no work interruptions, and the terminal is really starting to "take shape".
"We believe that we will beat that date. I can't say by how much, but we will definitely beat that date. We're very happy that we have built in enough slack if you will, allowing weather delays if any, hurricanes and tropical storms and we believe that at the end of the day, we will beat that schedule. It's been going very well," she explained.
"We are really excited about it because I do believe that this particular terminal is going to be the best, the best in terms of not only its functionality, but its design and layout and the art which is going to be unique and representative of the country."
"We will be able in the next few months to present to the Bahamian public a terminal they can be proud of, and also travelers to non-U.S. destinations will have a seamless experience as well," she said.
Work began on the new domestic and international departures and domestic arrivals in October 2012.
The 112,000-square-foot facility will include four restaurants, nine shops, two bars and a lounge, which will greatly enhance the country's domestic tourism product.
In addition to focusing on maintaining the state-of-the-art facility, Walkine stressed NAD's focus on ensuring that all travelers have a great experience when passing in and out of the airport.
LPIA facilitates 32 airlines that service 29 international and 16 domestic destinations.

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