New Freeport Airport Development Company Established to Oversee Construction of World-Class Airport in Grand Bahama

Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#Freeport, GB, The Bahamas, August 26, 2022 – As a part of the Bahamas Government’s commitment to rebuild and manage the Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA), the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, Chester Cooper, has announced the appointment of a seven-member board of directors for the newly established Freeport Airport Development Company (FAD).

The Freeport Airport Development Company (FAD) will function similarly to the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD), overseeing the management and redevelopment of the Grand Bahama International Airport.

In addition to overseeing the redevelopment of the new airport, the Board will serve as the evaluation committee of proposals shortlisted for Private Public Partnership (PPP) for the redevelopment of the Grand Bahama Airport.

In a press release on Sunday, Cooper said the creation of the FAD is a fulfilment of The Bahamas Government’s 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.”

Terah Rahming, a certified public accountant with a wealth of experience in business and finance, has been appointed Chairman of FAD. Rahming will provide oversight of all aspects of the airport’s redevelopment.

Board members include Peter Rutherford, Managing Director of the Airport Authority; Attorney Cassietta McIntosh; Elbert Hepburn, a Businessman; Forrester Carroll, a Businessman; Julian Sawyer, an Engineer; Airline Executive Harold Williams; and a representative from the Tourism Development Company.

The Grand Bahama Airport, which sustained extensive damages during Hurricane Dorian in 2019, was purchased by the Bahamas Government in 2021 through the Airport Authority.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the redevelopment of the airport is slated for completion in 2025. The new state-of-the-art airport will be instrumental in facilitating the projected growth and expansion of tourism to the island of Grand Bahama.