By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE new Marsh Harbour International Airport will not open this year, Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin confirmed yesterday.

The terminal is expected to open January 2014.

Meanwhile, the government is set to acquire a $14 million Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar as part of industry upgrades afforded by an Inter American Development policy-based loan.

Mrs Hanna-Martin noted that the former administration purchased an $8 million refurbished ASR 9 radar to replace the current ASR 8 model in use, but it was not operational.

During her contribution on amendments to the Airport Authority Act, Mrs Hanna-Martin confirmed that the government was in talks to set an “aggressive timeline” for the regularization of a modern agreement with the FAA for Bahamian airspace management, and related revenue.

The amended Act signals critical sector reform, according to Mrs Hanna-Martin, who explained that the legislation will align all government-owned airports under the purview of the Airport Authority. At present, Mrs Hanna-Martin noted that only two airports have been transferred to the Airport Authority from the Civil Aviation Department – the Lynden Pindling International Airport and the Marsh Harbour Airport. Construction on the $30 million Leonard M Thompson International (Marsh Harbour) Airport project began in 2011 and was last projected to be finished in July. However, logistical problems delayed the completion of the project, according to Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis, adding that the Ministry of Works had been unable to issue all the necessary project approvals due to technical concerns. The project is expected to include the construction of an international terminal, an air traffic control tower, a fire/crash rescue facility, a new taxiway, a new 6,100 ft runway to the south of the existing runway, the erection of new directional signs and the installation of approach, runway and taxiway lights. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) controls overflight rights for this nation above a certain altitude, and Bahamian aviation industry executives in recent years have called on the Government to take control of this nation’s airspace and capitalise on millions in potential revenue. During her contribution yesterday, Mrs Hanna-Martin said: “At this time we lack the developed infrastructure to manage the air space at this time.

 “We are, however, firmly of the view that the relationship on this issue must be regularized by a modern agreement which allows for the FAA to continue to manage our airspace and the appropriate remuneration regime is established.

She added: “Our own national flag carrier Bahamasair and other domestic carriers which route internationally utilizing our own airspace pays overflight fees to the Americans for air traffic management services in our own airspace. It is important to note, however, that U.S. carriers are exempt in this airspace from paying overflight fees.”

The FAA exercises control over most of the Bahamian airspace designated as the Miami Oceanic (East), with the airspace over Andros island presently under the control of Cuba.