A freeport airport development company has been established to oversee construction of a new airport in Grand Bahama.
I Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation (MOTIA), announced the appointment of a seven-member board of directors for the newly established Freeport Airport Development Company (FAD) as a part of the government’s commitment to rebuild and manage the Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA).
FAD will function similarly to the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD), overseeing the management and redevelopment of GBIA. In addition to overseeing the redevelopment of the new airport, the board will serve as the evaluation committee for private public partnership (PPP) proposals shortlisted for the redevelopment project. Terah Rahming, a certified public accountant, has been appointed chairman of FAD. Rahming will provide oversight of all aspects of the airport’s redevelopment.
Cooper said in the statement that the creation of FAD is a fulfilment of The Government of The Bahamas’ promise to ensure GBIA is rebuilt as soon as possible.
“It was a major pledge of our administration to restore the economic vitality of Grand Bahama, and a new state-of-the art airport is a critical part of that restoration,” he said. “The goal will be to build a sustainable, resilient, modern facility that will facilitate the return of US pre-clearance and smoothly handle the increased air traffic that is continuing to come on stream for Grand Bahama.”
The Grand Bahama Airport sustained extensive damages during Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and was purchased by the Bahamas Government in 2021 through the airport authority. Completion of the redevelopment of the airport is slated for 2025, according to Cooper.
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