By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet minister yesterday confirmed that Hutchison Ports Holdings had indicated it will “not rebuild” the parts of Grand Bahama International Airport that were devastated by Hurricane Dorian.

Senator Kwasi Thompson, minister of state for Grand Bahama, said the government would also continue to put “some pressures” on the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), Freeport’s quasi-governmental authority and Hutchison’s 50/50 joint venture partner in the airport.

“The government of The Bahamas is going to continue to work with the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA); we are partners,” Mr Thompson said. “There are some things that need to change, and there are some pressures that the government needs to continue to put on the GBPA.”

Turning to the airport, he added: “The GBPA is half owner of the airport as well as Hutchison is also half owner of the airport. Since the storm, Hutchison has indicated that they will not rebuild the existing portions there of the airport.

“They have opened the temporary location, which was the former FBO. So we now do have international flights, we have domestic flights that are going to Freeport. We are pleased with that.

“However, the airport requires a long-term development plan, and the government has entered into talks with Hutchison and the GBPA with respect of transfer of ownership. So those talks are ongoing, but the airport does require a long term development plan.”