Sorely needed repairs to Staniel Cay's airport could begin as early as Monday, according to Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin. The government is expected to finalize negotiations with construction firm Bahamas Hot Mix within the coming two days. The repairs, which consist of a total repaving and reconstruction of the island's airstrip facilities, are expected to take 60 days to complete.
In a correspondence with Guardian Business, Hanna-Martin conveyed the government's regrets over the closure and delayed repairs at the airstrip, which have severely impacted the island's tourism-driven economy and raised new health and safety concerns due to the lack of emergency airlift and unreliable sea access, according to the islands' residents.
"The Ministry of Works is now negotiating a contract with Hot Mix on the understanding that once all terms are agreed the firm will immediately mobilize. Assuming the terms are agreed within the next day or two, the company has agreed to be on site by next Monday to commence works," said Hanna Martin.
The Ministry of Works abruptly closed the airport in April in response to safety concerns from engineers from a pair of government agencies. Although Odyssey Aviation was originally tipped to conduct the repairs in May, Guardian Business understands that talks fell through last month. Local business owners, residents, and government officials last week vented their frustrations with the government's response under the banner of local civic group Concerned Citizens of Staniel Cay & Vicinity, who charged that they remained completely in the dark regarding repair plans. The repairs fall under the purview of the Ministry of Works.
Works Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis has been all but silent on the issue. "The prolonged closure is having devastating effects on our tourist economy as well. In addition to losing business during our high season with the abrupt closure in April, we are now experiencing a second wave of negative tourism impact.
Returning visitors and second-home-owners are delaying trips to Staniel Cay, indicating that they will simply not return until the Staniel Cay airport reopens, rather than deal with the inconvenience, expense and danger of travel via an alternate airstrip. "It is widely accepted in the industry that, for any tourism destination to survive, it requires frequent, reliable and affordable airlift. By keeping the Staniel Cay airport closed, the Government fails us on every one of those factors, even with flights via an alternate airstrip," read a recent statement from the organization.
Although Hanna Martin previously pegged the cost of the project at $1 million, the updated value of the contract remains unclear. "The government regrets the inconvenience and disruption attributed to this runway closure. The runway was closed in the interest of aviation safety following inspection by engineers from the Ministry of Works and the Department of Civil Aviation," Hanna Martin said.
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