By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

TRANSPORT and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin said yesterday that the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) could serve as a hub for Latin America and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) member airlines, noting that the Bahamas’ main airport was currently operating at only half its capacity.

Speaking at the ALTA Airline Leaders Forum Mrs Hanna Martin said: “We are proud to have begun a partnership three years ago with Copa Airlines. The government has invested $400m in the newly completed Lynden Pindling International Airport. At present however it is only handling half of its capacity. It has a US pre-clearance facility.

“We believe that there is an opportunity to partner with you to develop a Nassau hub. This speaks to a strategy of avoiding long delays at Miami International Airport while extending your core network to North American gateways more seamlessly,” said Mrs Hanna Martin.

ALTA member airlines represent over 86 per cent of the region’s commercial air traffic.

“It is our considered view that ALTA airlines could dramatically impact the long term success of the Bahamas and many other destinations in South America, Central America and the Caribbean,” Mrs Hanna Martin said. “The destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean may hold the key to long term success of ALTA airline members.”

Vernice Walkine, CEO of the Nassau Airport Development company (NAD), told Tribune Business that LPIA handles approximately 3.2 to 3.3 million passengers annually but has been built for a capacity of five million.

“As such, the terminals will serve our needs for the foreseeable future. As demand for the destination grows, we have the capacity to accommodate that growth in passengers, and airlift. We can accommodate even the largest aircraft, so we are built for growth,” said Ms Walkine.