By Lashonne Outten

Guardian Staff Reporter

lashonne@nasguard.com

The Perry Christie administration will pump millions into the newly renamed Lynden Pindling International Airport to make it into a world-class terminal.

Minister of Transport and Aviation, Glenys Hanna-Martin said the government has recently spent millions of dollars repairing runways at the former Nassau International Airport and is prepared to spend more – as it is committed to transforming the entire facility and its inner operations.

"This airport which is so critical to our existence is currently undergoing a renaissance. Already multi-million dollar runway works have been completed," said the Minister. " Very shortly a world- renowned international airport firm will assume the day to day management of this facility, heralding the redevelopment and revitalisation of this facility into a premiere, world-class airport.

At the re-naming ceremony held on Thursday, the Minister added that the government plans to tackle the enormous task over a period of two years.

"Over the next two years there will be tremendous growth taking place on this acreage with new modern terminals, with expanded concessions and services and increased runway capacity to accommodate an air traffic boom," she said. "Ladies and gentlemen the Lynden Pindling International Airport is poised to become the jewel of the Caribbean, the envy of the region."

Prime Minister Christie, who was on-hand at the unveiling of the airport's new name, said the Lynden Pindling International Airport is the "major gateway" for persons travelling to The Bahamas. He added that the airport must be enhanced and updated to accommodate the number of tourists who will be flocking to The Bahamas because of the growing number of high-end and top-notch resorts that were recently welcomed to the nation's shores.

"My government is about to embark on a new and defining experience at this airport. This new and defining experience will involve a new approach through long-term first-class international management and an expansion, renovations and refurbishment that will give The Bahamas a truly world-class international airport," said Mr. Christie. "Our commitment is directly linked to ensuring that as the billions of dollars of resort expansion continues here in Nassau and on other islands of The Bahamas; we – for our part – would have guaranteed that this, the major gateway into the country matches in every respect the new and modern facilities."

Moreover, Prime Minister Christie noted that the renaming of the airport should unite all Bahamians in respectful remembrance and appreciation of the life of a man who served them well, since all Bahamians were the beneficiaries of the good that Sir Lynden Pindling did for this country.

RENAMED AIRPORT – Family members of former Prime Minister the late Sir Lynden O. Pindling including his wife Marguerite Lady Pindling, children and grandchildren stand in front of the newly erected sign leading to the entrance of the renamed Lynden Pindling International Airport. The airport was renamed yesterday during a ceremony attended by Bahamians from all walks of life.

(Photo by DONALD KNOWLES)