NASSAU, The Bahamas – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper toured Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) to see, firsthand, improvements to the country’s gateway as tourism begins to improve in a COVID-19 environment. 

Minister Cooper has toured areas under his portfolio since his recent appointment.  He was led on this tour by President and CEO of the Nassau Airport Development Company Ltd., Vernice Walkine on Wednesday, October 20, 2021.

Also present were: Minister of Labour & Immigration the Hon. Keith Bell; Minister of Economic Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Halkitis; Parliamentary Secretary John Pinder II, Parliamentary Secretary Wayde Watson, Senator Randy Rolle, Joy Jibrilu, Director General, Tourism; and Latia Duncombe, Deputy Director General, Tourism; Algernon Cargill, Director of Aviation, Vernice Walkine, President and CEO, NAD, and other officials.

The tour covered the US Departures Terminal, International Arrivals Terminal and the Domestic & International Terminal; also the upgrades to the US Pre-Clearance area aimed at providing a better traveler experience, the “Back-of-House” area called the Matrix where luggage is screened, the Baggage Claim area, Bahamas Immigration area, and other facilities.

“This is an impressive gateway to The Bahamas. I am quite pleased with what I saw today,” said Mr. Cooper, though noting there are some works still in progress to improve the entire experience.

“I understand from the Airport Authority that we recently spent $11 million to upgrade the facility so it’s good to see where some of the tax payer’s dollars have been spent,” he noted while viewing upgrades to Baggage Claim.  He also remarked that a reasonably good job is being done in maintenance.  

Minister Cooper’s inspection of LPIA took into account possible room for expansion.

“These are exciting times for tourism. Our numbers are returning to pre-COVID levels very rapidly. By the end of the year we anticipate being almost 100 percent over 2019. We are excited about that increase. We are attracting new airlift.  We expect Virgin to join our fleet of carriers by the end of November and we were pleased to see that NAD really has contemplated expansion opportunities for the arrival of new carriers,” the minister said.

He also noted that he was pleased to see smiles on the faces of airport personnel at visitor arrivals being on the increase.

“I am delighted to report that we are ready for the boom once again, so I am excited about what we saw today.  It’s fabulous.”

As LPIA is the “most prominent” gateway for tourists entering the country, Mr. Cooper said all have to be ready to receive them.

“I am happy that we are in a position to do so, and we look forward to continued improvements of the facility. The Airport Authority and NAD work closely together to ensure we are ready to welcome our guests.”

Vernice Walkine, President and CEO, NAD conducts the tour of LPIA on Wednesday, October 20, 2021.  (BIS Photo/Kemuel Stubbs)

Rudy Ferguson, Chief Immigration Officer for LPIA, speaks to the group.   (BIS Photo/Kemuel Stubbs)

Kevin McDonald, Vice-President, Maintenance & Engineering, NAD explains the baggage screening electrical system.   (BIS Photo/Kemuel Stubbs)