The government is on the last leg of its negotiations with the company lined up to oversee the management of the newly renamed Lynden Pindling International Airport, according to Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin.
She made the announcement on Monday while revealing the list of private charter companies approved to service Family Island routes.
“My ministry is in what is hoped to be the final stage of its negotiations with Vancouver Airport Services,” she said.
“On completion of these discussions it is anticipated YVAS will immediately commence the operation and management of the Lynden Pindling International Airport according to the agreement as a world class premier airport.”
Following the completion of those crucial talks, both are expected to officially sign a Build/Operate/Transfer agreement for the long-term development of the airport.
Vancouver officials are acting in the capacity of consultants at this point, one official told The Bahama Journal.
The comprehensive transformation of the countryﾒs main port of entry is viewed as essential following the rehabilitation of the airportﾒs main runway and the name change in honour of former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling which occurred two weeks ago.
The Airport Authority selected Vancouver Airport Services as the winning bid after nine proposals were received from various consortiums and companies. The authority pursued the proposals on the basis of their capacity to immediately assume the airportﾒs management.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Airport Authority would continue to own the airport but the management company would operate and develop the facility in accordance with set and mutually agreed standards and concepts for a period of time, normally between 20 and 30 years.
After that time, the upgraded facility would be transferred back to the Authorityﾒs management. Until then, the Authority would receive fee payments from the operating company.
Government officials have already foreshadowed a passenger facility fee, which would go towards financing the airportﾒs capital works. However an exact charge has not been set.
The secondary bidder for the airport management contract was the Bahamas Airports Management Group.
The Bahama Journal
