Saturday, August 27, 2011

AIRPORT UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE BAHAMAS

FOLLOWING ARE AIRPORT UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE BAHAMAS INCLUDING CAT ISLAND via the Tribune.

Operations restored at most airports

Share This Article:
Published On:Saturday, August 27, 2011
By NOELLE NICOLLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net
MOST airports across the Bahamas sustained minimal damage from Hurricane Irene, enabling operations to be restored yesterday morning, said emergency officials.
The Lynden Pindling International Airport, the country's main gateway, was back in business from early Friday morning, accommodating passengers trying to leave the country.
Officials from the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) said the majority of the activity was at the US-departures section, where American Airlines, US Airways, Continental, Delta, Bahamas Air and Jet Blue were in operation. Air Tran did not operate flights yesterday, but they are expected to be up and running today.
Jet Blue and Bahamas Air officials were on site from as early as 8am to check in passengers. It was a Jet Blue aircraft that arrived at 9.01 as the first inbound flight from Fort Lauderdale. Jet Blue also had the first outbound flight, heading to Orlando at 10.25am. Most airlines were in talks with their head offices yesterday, working to restore regularly scheduled flights.
NAD officials are advising passengers to contact their airlines directly to confirm flight times and to reschedule where necessary.
As Hurricane Irene continues to threaten the East coast of the United States, passengers are advised to be mindful of potential airport closures in the US.
The major disruption reported at the LPIA was the closure of US Pre-clearance. Bahamian passengers were disgruntled about the closure, as they were unable to book flights at the airport without a US VISA. Ordinarily, Bahamians are able to travel with identification and a police record; however, airlines would not book passengers as a result of the US Pre-clearance closure.
Passengers claimed there were US Immigration officials "walking around the airport", which further upset them. NAD officials were in discussions with US officials yesterday, working out when US Pre-clearance would open.
Last night, it was announced that pre-clearance services will not available until tomorrow.
The airport said in a statement that post-clearance will continue to be in effect throughout the day today.
Bahamians who have plans to travel to the United States this morning with only a police record will not be able to travel, the statement warned.
Visas are required for all persons entering the US, where they will clear Immigration and Customs.
"United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) will restore full pre-clearance services as soon as their staff complement returns to normal levels.
"Updates will be provided as circumstances change. All passengers are asked to be patient with these new arrangements as these are unusual circumstances.
"Every effort is being made to have the US departures experience be as efficient and pleasant as possible," the statement said.
Three Abaco airports - Marsh Harbour, Treasure Cay and Moss Island - were out of service yesterday, as a result of Hurricane Irene, said Captain Patrick Rolle, Civil Aviation director. The Rum Cay airport was also closed, as aviation officials were not able to communicate with the island as of yesterday afternoon.
The Grand Bahama International Airport experienced major flooding, which covered the tarmac with water and debris, and caused minor water damage to the physical building. Both the international and domestic sections were affected by the flooding.
Captain Rolle said the airport staff were working to have operations restored this morning, around 7am. Although Cat Island experienced some "extreme damage", Captain Rolle said the damage at the airport was not enough to affect operations.
All of the other Family Island airports were open as of yesterday, said Captain Rolle. "We are grateful that considering everything that has happened most of the airports are intact and open," he said.

No comments:

Post a Comment