The value of the 14 family island airports which the government recently released a request for pre-qualifications (RFpQ), is $260 million, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper said yesterday.
Last week the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation (MOTIA) issued a notice for the preliminary stage of the bidding process, seeking a public-private partnership for the redevelopment of the airports, which is expected to close on April 16.
The airports and the value of the proposed redevelopments are the New Bight International Airport in Cat Island, budgeted at $18 million; the Exuma International Airport in Moss Town, Great Exuma at $65 million; the Staniel Cay, Black Point and Farmer's Cay airports at $6 million; the Leonard M. Thompson International Airport in Marsh Harbour, Abaco at $10 million; the Treasure Cay Airport in Abaco at $10 million; the Sandy Point International Airport in Abaco at $10 million; the North Eleuthera International Airport at $65 million; the Rock Sound International Airport in Eleuthera at $18 million; the Governor's Harbour International Airport in Eleuthera at $18 million; the Long Island International Airport in Deadman's Cay, Long Island at $18 million; the Congo Town Airport in South Andros at $10 million; and the San Salvador International Airport in San Salvador at $15 million.
During his contribution to debate on the mid-year budget in the House of Assembly, Cooper said the government is seeking to create a family island Renaissance with the new airports.
"We believe this airport development initiative has a great chance of success due to systematic and significant initiatives by this administration to create a strong, world-class regulatory and institutional framework. This administration has demonstrated a commitment to the enhancement of the airports fee structure required to increase prospects for profitability to better justify increased capital expenditure," he said.
"I saw that there were some rumblings over the coming increase in user fees in the Family Islands. What has not been said is that taxpayers are subsidizing the family island airports right now for almost $13 million a year, even in their dilapidated state, whether they use them or not. We can do better, and we will."
Cooper said while residents will pay more for user fees, they will pay significantly less than international travelers. He said this is necessary to boost the economies of the Family Islands.
"The number one complaint we get from domestic and international passengers in the Family Islands is about the airports, not the fees. Resorts have complained of guests falling out in the sun as they wait to be processed, visitors complaining about toilets not working, leaks and general disrepair," Cooper added.
"These new airports will eliminate those issues and will accommodate more security personnel for faster processing. We can do better and we will. The new airports will improve the runways to accommodate large jets and they will also bring with them runway lighting for the airports to operate longer hours.
"Fire trucks and other safety equipment that will benefit Bahamians will also accompany the new airports. We are following the wildly successful model at Lynden Pindling International Airport and when we are done, the Family Islands will be poised for even further economic growth. We have also ensured an ongoing partnership with the IDB in the family island airports Renaissance Program," Cooper said.
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