By BARBARA WALKIN
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, March 26, 2024 — With no fanfare, demolition of the old main terminal at Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA) got underway last week, the first phase of the airport redevelopment project announced last year.
Freeport Airport Development (FAD) Chair Terah Rahming would not divulge details of the demolition process or the name of the company doing the work, but told Grand Bahama News on Thursday, “The old terminal is being demolished and this process will take several weeks for completion.”
Last March, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper announced that the government had partnered with a Bahamian group, Aerodrome Ltd., and two UK companies – Manchester Airport Group (MAG) Ltd. and BHM Construction International – for the $200 million redevelopment of the airport which was badly damaged during Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
When contacted for comment on the demolition, neither Cooper nor MAG Director Andy Tyler-Smith responded.
Cooper, however, told attendees at the Grand Bahama Business Outlook last month that demolition would begin within 30 days.
“You heard me say last year that you were getting your airport, and you are indeed getting it,” he said to the crowd at the Grand Lucayan. “I can tell you that the partnership with Manchester Airport Group, renowned for their expertise in airport management is a testament to the ambitious scope of this project.”
Revealing the architectural renderings of the airport, Cooper said, “These designs are not just blueprints, they are a vision of efficiency, beauty and innovation in line with the feel and culture of Grand Bahama Island.”
He added, “The involvement of a local Grand Bahama construction company in the demolition phase underscores our dedication to empowering local businesses and integrating them into the fabric of our development narrative.”
Cooper said the first phase of the airport project will be completed by the first quarter of 2025.
Grand Bahama Taxi Union (GBTU) General Secretary Geraldine Dean said it is great news that work has finally started on the international terminal.
However, she said, “This is just step one. Next up is getting the hotel sold.”
Dean believes that the sale of the Grand Lucayan and a new airport are necessary to Grand Bahama returning as one of the top destinations in the region.
Proprietor of Blue Green Outdoor Tours Rudy Sawyer said, “The sooner the better for starting on an improved airport for Grand Bahama. However, it will not be completed anytime soon. In the meantime, let’s work with the airport we have, which is much better than most of the other airport facilities throughout the country.”
Sawyer believes that while the hotel remains unsold, stakeholders should concentrate on making sure the available facilities – hotels, timeshare and vacation rental units – are filled and suggested tourism executives spend more time and money on marketing the island and solidifying the local product.
The Grand Lucayan and the Memories resort closed after being severely damaged in 2016. The government bought the properties from Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa in 2018 for $65 million.
A sale to the Electra America Hospitality Group collapsed in November 2022. The government has continued to operate the Lighthouse Pointe section of the hotel and convention facilities and reopened the Prop Club restaurant last year.
