Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the Hon. Chester Cooper recently addressed the Eleuthera Business Outlook event where he gave an update on the redevelopment airports on the island.
A $55 million loan agreement was signed in September 2024 between the government and the Saudi Fund for the redevelopment of the North Eleuthera airport. That agreement has ended in favor of one with a company involved in the ongoing redevelopment of the south Bimini airport.
Cooper said, “Island Airport Development Company, the company that is building the Bimini airport, with impressive works, ahead of timelines are making significant progress. We’ve invited them back tot the table to consider the redevelopment of the North Eleuthera Airport and we’ve signed agreement and the money is in place with Plenary International Fund and we anticipate that that work is going to begin shortly. We expect to have already delivered some preliminary works to ease some of the pressure at North Eleuthera Airport and we’re preparing for the construction of the state of the art passenger terminal. We expect shovel in the ground this quarter and a projected completion date in mid 2026.”
The Minister also gave an update on planned upgrades for the Governor’s Harbour International Airport. He said, “it is important that we coordinate the works in Governor’s Harbour and in North Eleuthera to ensure that there’s always an open gateway for the arrival of air traffic. So we’re going to be working to start these works between Governor’s Harbour and North Eleuthera. I make these points to alert you that you will not see work starting tomorrow, work will begin this quarter. North Eleuthera will be the priority in terms of getting that done given that that has been a source of significant concern and its one of the busiest airports in the country. Governor’s Harbour will provide relief when that work is going on and once the airstrips are completed in North Eleuthera we will get the work done in Governor’s Harbour.”
During his presentation Cooper said the government is considering another public-private partnership for needed works at the Rock Sound Airport.
