On 28 March 2022, the Department of Aviation and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation announced the ocial launch of the Bahamas airports public private partnership (PPP) procurement process for the Grand Bahama International Airport (for further details, see "PPP procurement process for Grand Bahama International Airport launches"). The next phase of this initiative has now been set in motion for 14 additional airports on the Bahamas' Family Islands through a PPP programme launched on 1 March 2023.

 

Affected airports

The programme seeks experienced and qualied private sector partners to design, build, nance, operate, maintain and develop the following airports:

New Bight International Airport – Cat Island;
Exuma International Airport – Moss Town, Great Exuma;
Staniel Cay Airport – Great Exuma;
Black Point Airport – Great Exuma;
Farmer's Cay Airport – Great Exuma;
Leonard M Thompson International Airport – Marsh Harbour, Abaco; Treasure Cay Airport – Abaco;
Sandy Point International Airport – Abaco;
North Eleuthera International Airport – Eleuthera;
Rock Sound International Airport – Eleuthera;
Governor's Harbour International Airport – Eleuthera;
Long Island International Airport – Deadman's Cay, Long Island; Congo Town Airport – South Andros;
San Salvador International Airport – San Salvador.

 

Aims of PPP programme

While the government will retain ownership of the airports, selected private partners will be granted a concession and lease for the airports for up to 30 years.
The programme aims to:

> upgrade or replace facilities;
> generate trac;
> grow revenue;
> further enhance the quality of service at airport sites.

 

According to Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation, the initiative "arms the national priority and commitment of The Government to aggressively address the state of The Bahamas airports infrastructure to support ongoing economic development".

 

Comment

Over the past decade the Bahamas has experienced a tremendous growth in air trac both private and commercial. Visitors are now keen to see more of the Bahamas' Family Islands and to experience the diversity they offer. The proposed enhancements, together with upgrades in the country's overall air trac system, will be of great benet to the airports and their surrounding communities. An announcement regarding the successful candidates is currently scheduled for July 2023.

 

 

For further information on this topic please contact Llewellyn V Boyer-Cartwright at Harley James Law by telephone (+1 242 327 7275) or email (lbc@harleyjames.law). The Harley James Law website can be accessed at www.harleyjames.law.