It was five years ago, on April 1, 2007, when the Bahamas government signed a 30-year agreement with NAD to manage and redevelop LPIA. Now, the airport expansion project is more than halfway complete.

The 247,000 sq. ft. US Departures terminal, stage one of the three-staged construction project, opened in March 2011 and a new International Arrivals terminal is scheduled to open this fall.

Other highlights for NAD include an overhaul of airport concessions to include international brands and authentic Bahamian food and crafts–all 100 per cent Bahamian owned.

The company also added two Bahamians to the executive management team—Vernice Walkine, VP of Marketing and Commercial Development and Kevin McDonald, VP of Maintenance & Engineering.

“It’s been five busy years for our team,” says Stewart Steeves, NAD’s president and CEO. “Much of what we have achieved is visible in the upgraded facilities. It’s the intangible things that I am most proud of—the things that cannot be easily measured, such as improved staff engagement and pride.”

This week, the company is preparing for one of the busiest weeks at the airport. Last year, during the Easter holiday weekend, an estimated 10,000 passengers were processed through the facilities.

Officials are encouraging travelers, particularly those bound for the United States, to arrive at the airport three hours ahead of their scheduled departure time allowing passengers to clear all customs and immigration checkpoints and enjoy the upgraded facilities and other amenities, such as free wifi.

Peak departure days, Saturday through Monday, are expected to be particularly busy. Officials expect the heavy traffic at LPIA to continue into the summer months.

tblair@dupuch.com