By ANNELIA NIXON

Tribune Business Reporter

anixon@tribunemedia.net

The Government will this week sign contracts for the redevelopment of Black Point airport in the Exuma cays, its aviation chief revealed, with Georgetown’s airport set to receive a new air traffic control tower.

Dr Kenneth Romer, director of aviation, told attendees at the Bahamas Air Navigation Services Authority (BANSA) aviation safety conference that “we have a plethora of several airports that are targeted for opening or for active construction over the next few months” under the Government’s Family Island airport renaissance programme.

Pointing to the launch of the $19.8m airside redevelopment at Deadman’s Cay airport in Long Island, he added that its runway will be extended to some 6,100 linear feet and “the obstacle limitation by that hill” at the runway’s end will be removed. A contract for the terminal building’s construction will be signed in a few weeks.

Dr Romer said the Government intends to “formally launch” a High School Aviation Cadets Programme “where exploring the exciting world of ATC [air traffic control] will be one of the core offerings of the curriculum” in the upcoming academic year. He unveiled plans for a contract signing at Black Point airport, noting that part of its land side design includes a new control tower funded by BANSA.

“It’s a part of the active, ongoing work for the entire Exuma aerodrome,” Dr Romer said. “The air side work is to be completed by December. That’s funded by the IDB (Inter-American Development Bank). Construction is taking place on the terminal side, and a part of that terminal land side design is also a new air traffic control tower. And that’s funded through BANSA.”

With North Eleuthera also awaiting a new airport, Dr Romer said site works will begin in August and construction is expected to begin in either September or October. Mayaguana’s airport, according to the aviation chief, has seen completion of major construction to its terminal and preparations are being made for its opening some time in the summer.

“The North Eleuthera airport, the site works will start in August, and the site works would include the clearing, the grading and the pads. And we expect the actual construction schedule, again for September, October. But, in any event, the works will start in August. They’ll start seeing clearing taking place for North Eleuthera,” Dr Romer added.

“The airport in Mayaguana right now is just waiting on the official opening. The terminal has been completed. The major construction of the terminals has been completed. So we’re only preparing now for the official opening. That’s going to be done this summer. We have a plethora of several airports that are targeted for opening or for active construction over the next few months.

“We have active work going on in New Bight, and Arthur’s Town,” Dr Romer added. “North Eleuthera, a brand new airport that is starting really actively in August. Governor’s Harbour, again, 90 percent completed. We’re about to finalise an airport in Mayaguana. And I said I returned from Deadman’s Cay. We signed a $19.8m contract three weeks ago.

“In a few weeks we’re signing another contract for the terminal. Crooked Island is also getting a new airport. Rock Sound, Black Point, of course, and we’re forging ahead with plans for Grand Bahama and Andros airports. It speaks again, not just of an isolated approach to aviation, but when we expand these aerodromes and airports that has greater implications as to the oversight and most of it, again, we have more airlift.

“We’re attracting more airlift. And we do know that all of these things impact and, are in discussions right now, with the BANSA in terms of safety. Obviously, the improvements of facilities and the expansion of new airlift to facilitate more foreign and direct travel presents evidence that aviation safety must remain a top priority, and I’m certain that that’s why our discussions over the past few days affirm the Government’s view that aviation safety is paramount.”