NASSAU, Bahamas — With Eleuthera’s tourism numbers now 23 percent higher than during the tourism banner year of 2019, a high-level delegation of key aviation and tourism stakeholders recently participated in an assessment of the island’s three main airports, according to a statement on the visit, The Nassau Guardian reported on Monday, July 31, 2023, in an article written by Chester Robards.
Commenting on the assessment, Director of Aviation and Deputy Director of Tourism Dr. Kenneth Romer said the exercise is intended to assess deficiencies and implement immediate, medium- and long-term improvement strategies.
“It’s time for less talk and more action, period,” Romer said in the statement.
The government has begun plans to design, build, finance, operate and maintain fourteen family island airports, that will be invested in under a public-private partnership model.
According to the statement, throughout the next two weeks Eleuthera airports will undergo maintenance. It explains that the Governor’s Harbour Airport will have roof repairs completed, while a new air conditioner system and fans will be installed in the check-in area of the North Eleuthera International Airport, “along with additional seating for international and domestic passengers”.
“Plans are also being finalized for the construction of an additional temporary post-screening shelter, along with a modernized North Eleuthera terminal, with revised design plans expected to be completed by mid-October 2023,” the statement said.
“Remedial work to the runway is expected to commence over the next 12 months, subject to the resolution of any outstanding land dispute issues.
“Human capital issues are also being addressed, with the current training of 26 new security officers, who upon completion of their training, will be immediately deployed in Eleuthera to assist in the safe and efficient processing and screening of passengers and baggage.”
Romer said with Eleuthera’s arrival numbers far outpacing 2019 numbers, the island’s future growth is now being constrained by the capacity of its airports.
“Tourism’s mid-year statistics, up to June 2023, recorded Eleuthera’s overall foreign air arrivals at 53,470, 23 percent higher when compared to 2019, and and 14 percent higher than the 2022 numbers,” the statement said.
“In addition to domestic carriers, the island of Eleuthera is serviced by Delta, Silver, Aztec and American Airlines, with American Airlines just recently announcing a new service between Miami and Governor’s Harbour, beginning in February 2024.
“Earlier in May, Silver Airways launched its inaugural service between Orlando and North Eleuthera.”
Romer said the country cannot continue to expose domestic and international travelers to inferior airport infrastructure and substandard products and service.
See complete article in The Nassau Guardian at https://thenassauguardian.com/time-for-action-on-eleuthera-airports-as-visitors-increase-says-aviation-director/
