As the leadership of the Nassau Airport Development (NAD) Company looks forward to increasingly important developments, the inking of a deal between Jet Aviation and fixed-base operator (FBO) Executive Flight Support (EFS) - with the attendant renovations the deal contemplates - takes on added significance.

Late last week, EFS announced that it had partnered with Jet Aviation and would now be known as Jet Aviation Bahamas. The remodel will mean a new lobby, pilot's lounge, VIP rooms and conference rooms to be completed by summer 2015. Also, the operator plans to add four new 25,000 square foot hangars to the facility this year.

Vernice Walkine, NAD President and CEO, sought to place the development in the context of the vision for Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) development.

"As a destination, Nassau/Paradise Island has long been attractive to private aircraft owners. As a result, Lynden Pindling International Airport has always benefitted from the existence of FBOs to meet the needs of the general aviation market, while the main port of entry remains focused on commercial aviation to meet the demands of the tourism industry," Walkine said.

The recent report by Elite Traveler Magazine confirms Nassau's leadership position for the private aviation market. That magazine showed Nassau as the top destination for private charter jets during the 2014 winter peak season: two other Bahamas destinations - Abaco and North Eleuthera - were in the top ten.

Walkine told Guardian Business that the partnership between Executive Flight Support and Jet Aviation is significant because EFS will be able to more effectively meet the needs of the growth in general aviation at LPIA.

"More private aircraft, larger and more valuable private aircraft, with more demanding customers. EFS' growth supports NAD's objectives of world class airport facilities and services, and strong revenue streams from  aviation-related businesses," she said.

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