The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE


Tribune Business 
Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Proposed upgrades to Exuma’s International Airport were described as “encouraging” by the island’s Chamber of Commerce president, who added that the facility was “in desperate need of an upgrade”.

Transport & Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin told the Exuma Business Outlook conference this week that the Moss Town-based airport had been listed as a high priority for the Government, with plans to create a world class facility there.

Pedro Rolle, the Exuma Chamber chief, said: “What it really means is that Exuma is in desperate need of an upgrade to our port of entry. There are a significant number of people who come to Sandals and the other hotels.

“It’s kind of embarrassing that they are coming in to what we represent as an international airport. It’s not just an upgrade; that whole thing needs to be abandoned and we start from scratch, and put something in that represents our future.”

Mr Rolle added: “The fact that we are going to have a new airport is encouraging but that’s not news for me to dance about. What I am going to dance about is when we can sit down around the table and analyse what it is that Exuma needs and we put that in place so we are part of the decision making process.

“Smart governance really requires careful planning and integration of resources so you’re talking to all of the various entities using the facility, Customs and so on. Even should expansion be required in 20 years, it would be smart expansion.”

Mrs Hanna Martin during her presentation stated: “The Moss Town international airport has been categorised as a tier one gateway, described as a significant port of entry gateway for the family islands which has economic opportunity to be operationally sustainable.”

Mrs Hanna Martin noted that work will be undertaken simultaneously on airports listed in tiers two and three. She went on to note that the Moss Town airport has been listed as a high priority for the Government with plans to create a world class facility there.

She said the airport would include a concessions programme for shops and car rental businesses to provide employment opportunities for Exumians. Mrs Hanna Martin said that the Government was poised to engage an Exumian with aviation experience to takeover the management of the Moss Town airport.