FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, December 24, 2019 – A Christmas wish expressed in a humorous video that was produced by Dave Mackey of Mackey Media for Magnus Alnebeck, Manager of the Pelican Bay Hotel in Freeport, Grand Bahama, no doubt is shared by every resident of Freeport and by extension all of Grand Bahama.
Here’s their delightful Christmas message: “All We Want for Christmas….is a NEW AIRPORT… so we can get all our guests back to Grand Bahama. Thank you for your support this year. From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you in 2020.”
Along with Magnus Alnebeck, staff members featured in the video include Tim Tibbitts, Della Catrina Bridgewater, Patricia Albury, Rebecca Tibbitts and the Flying Fish Gastro Bar team, BONES BAR crew, Emmanuel Smith and the Sabor team. And as Dave noted in his caption, “The star of the production is a talented young girl who memorized her lines to perfection!”
To be sure, following the destructive passage of Hurricane Dorian across Grand Bahama and Abaco the first week of September, the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) did a remarkable job in quickly restoring essential services in the city of Freeport, but re-opening of the airport – which was closed because of the substantial damages it sustained – clearly was a top priority.
As GBPA Acting Chairman Sarah St. George stated in November, “Our main goal is to reopen the International Airport facilities and welcome international commercial flights again. The work has been difficult but we are excited to let the world know that Grand Bahama is once again ready to receive them.”
According to a December 17article in the Miami Herald, “BahamasAir resumed service between Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Sunday (December 15) and Leonard M. Thompson International Airport in Marsh Harbour and Palm Beach International Airport on Monday (December 16). Silver Airways announced it will resume service from Fort Lauderdale to Freeport and Marsh Harbour on Dec. 19.
“The BahamasAir will have flights between Freeport and Fort Lauderdale every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and flights between Marsh Harbour and West Palm Beach on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
“Silver Airways will have daily flights between Fort Lauderdale and Freeport every day except Tuesdays, and two flights per day on Saturdays. Silver will have flights between Fort Lauderdale and Marsh Harbour Wednesdays though Sundays.
“Silver said in a statement that the company anticipates returning to Treasure Cay in the Abacos in February 2020.
“American Airlines plans to resume daily flights to Freeport and Marsh Harbour from Miami International Airport in February, a spokesperson said.”
So, although they did not get a NEW AIRPORT, it seems as if Magnus Alnebeck and his staff at the Pelican Bay Hotel got their Christmas wish and can welcome “guests back to Grand Bahama.” Click on the following link to view their “Christmas ditty”: https://www.facebook.com/PelicanBayHotel/videos/1462025400612038/
