$1.5 million expansion project at Bahamas airport nearly complete

An airport in the Bahamas could soon receive a huge boost in tourism after it was hit by Hurricane Joaquin in 2015. San Salvador International Airport in the Out Islands is undergoing a $1.5 million expansion and upgrade project that will include a check-in counter, an expanded waiting area, and a more "user-friendly" immigration and customs venue.

One of the smaller airports in the Bahamas is undergoing an extensive expansion and upgrade project, after it was damaged in a hurricane last year.

San Salvador International Airport (ZSA) in the Out Islands in the Bahamas was badly damaged during Hurricane Joaquin five months ago, and work has been carried out to improve and repair the airport at a cost of $1.5 million.

Philip Davis, the Deputy Prime Ministers of the Bahamas, explained:

"We decided to do the expansion to accommodate the traffic that is expected through the direct flights from France and elsewhere. The French traffic is largely the result of the island's Club Med all-inclusive resort."

Mr Davis also commented:

"For many years the airport was not accommodating to our guests. Very often about 300 persons were landing and lining up on the tarmac in the hot sun from a ten-hour flight from Europe. That was uncomfortable. Now as you can see the expansion will accommodate these passengers as they come into a comfortable venue to clear Customs and Immigration."

The project, which is being carried out by Kirk Williams of World Construction and Development Company, is 90 per cent complete, and the airport now has an expanded check-in counter, an expanded waiting area, and a more "user-friendly" immigration and customs venue.

The Bahamas is an island nation archipelago situated in the Atlantic Ocean, north of Cuba. The country boasts a collection of idyllic islands with pink and white sand beaches, such as Bimini, Berry Islands, New Providence, Crooked Island Mayaguana, Acklins, The Berry Islands, Nassau, The Exumas, Grand Bahama Island, The Out Islands, and Harbour Island.

Tourists can snorkel and scuba dive in warm, azure, crystal-clear ocean waters; explore the thriving national parks and catch glimpses of the national bird, the Flamingo; take tours to historic sites such as Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation; go on dolphin-watching excursions; and enjoy several water sports such as sailing, fishing, windsurfing, kayaking and jet-skiing.