By BARBARA WALKIN
Senior Freeport News Reporter
barbara@nasguard.com
The new international section of Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA) will be in full operation by June 2, Airport and Harbour Director Randy Robb said Tuesday evening.
Mr. Robb, who was the guest speaker at the monthly Lions Club meeting, explained that international arrivals in the new terminal are scheduled to begin May 19, with the entire area "up and running" by June, including international departures.
The $30 million improvement and expansion airport project involved changes "in the design and re-paving of the runway, departure and arrival capacity, an expanded concession area and security due to the 9/11 experience," disclosed Mr. Robb.
Instead of having 200 peak hour passenger capability as exists today, Mr. Robb said we are going to have 800 peak hour passenger capability with the new airport — "800 departing, 600 arriving."
He added that the building size doubled, at 11,000 feet the runway is able to accommodate any size aircraft and with the merging of customs, immigration and agriculture, passengers will only "see one officer, who is responsible for all those screenings."
Noting that this is the first terminal to be build following the 9/11 terrorist act, Mr. Robb said the new terminal will be the model for any other pre-clearance setup.
He said GBIA has achieved substantial completion of the terminal and on Friday the airport company will own the terminal.
Asked about additional provisions for parking, Mr. Robb said, "Most things we figured on square foot, and the same was done for the airport. When we expanded the terminal size and the terminal requirements, a few things dropped out, including covers out to the airplane, which was the first thing that dropped out because they are $1 million a piece."
He disclosed tht the second thing to "drop out" was the $1.4 million parking lot project.
"So what we're doing is a separate project for parking and what comes with the parking is cover drop-off areas," he said.
The parking accommodations will be more than doubled, fenced in for additional security, and the cost will increase, he said.
"But that's a whole separate project, with room for level parking expansion," Mr. Robb emphasized, adding that the entire project, technology wise, is design for growth.
Another issue raised concerned the erection of a sterile corridor for the movement of passengers between the harbour and the airport. Mr. Robb said that corridor is "still a part of the master plan," tied to the harbour expansion project.
The director's presentation included a brief overview of the harbour expansion project involving the deepening of the harbour at the cost of $16 million, additional lay-up berths, enlarging the cargo areas, development of the retail village and additional ferry facilities.
"It takes a massive amount of money to improve the facility, but we are working practically day and night to get the work done," said Mr. Robb.
CAPTION: PRESENTATION – Randy Robb, Airport and Harbour director, shared details of the airport and harbour expansion and improvement project with members of the Freeport Lions Club Tuesday evening. Presenting the speaker with a certificate of appreciation is Lioness Ann Rogers, left, immediate past president. At right is Lions President Dudley Bent. (Staff photo by Barbara Walkin)
