Chamber President: Airport Delays Costing Grand Bahama Growth

smb('loadExternalVideo', 'watch', 'https://player.vimeo.com/external/1230095967.m3u8?s=55ff54d0553e5b1b8a1f38ae2f4fad984ce7df9d&logging=false', 740, 416, 'my_frame', 0);

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – For Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce President, Ralph Hepburn, Grand Bahama’s airport is more than just planes taking off and landing.

He says it is one of the missing pieces in getting the island’s economy fully moving again.

The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce President says the current facilities simply cannot accommodate the level of traffic and activity the island needs.

 Ralph Hepburn – President, Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce 

“  The loss of those terminals, we lost a number of airlifts to Grand Bahama through the U.S. When we lost those terminals, we also lost pre-clearance – it’s a benefit to us in Grand Bahama for persons wanting to leave as well as guests coming in…”

Seven years after Dorian, the wait for a permanent replacement continues.

The government acquired the airport in 2021, and two years later announced plans for a roughly $200 million re-development, with the new facility at that time expected to open in the first quarter of 2025.

That deadline came and went.

The project later ran into financing challenges, prompting the government to pursue a different funding arrangement.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Philip Davis announced that a contractor had been mobilized for phase one, an investment of more than $100 million.

That phase is expected to include a new terminal, U.S. pre-clearance, new taxiways, expanded apron space and flood mitigation work.

Meanwhile, Hepburn says getting those facilities in place could help unlock more than just additional flights.

However, the question Hepburn says businesses still need answered is “when?”.

Last week, Aviation Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis told reporters she expected to meet with contractors working on the airport project to get a better sense of the timeline.

For the chamber, that clarity cannot come soon enough.

Hepburn says a business climate survey conducted by the chamber between May and July found 82% of respondents believe re-developing the airport should be a government priority.

He also says for businesses that rely on visitors, the cost of limited air access is being felt.

Hepburn, who also works in the tourism sector, says his business currently relies almost entirely on cruise passengers.

 Ralph Hepburn – President, Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce 

“ We can’t offer the bonfire experience or the late night activities because really there’s no one here on island in that numbers to bring people out for us to be open. That means a decrease in work hours for our employees. Our employees work less hours because once the cruise ship leave, everything shuts down.”