Roberta Aguirre
The Freeport, Bahamas airport, also known as the Grand Bahama International Airport, was almost completely destroyed by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. The hurricane left the airport under six feet of water and caused heavy damage. The government of the Bahamas purchased the airport in April 2021 for one Bahamian dollar. The airport has since been working towards resuming operations, with domestic travel and temporary facilities for NGOs and relief supplies already in place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Freeport Grand Bahama International Airport |
| Location | Freeport, Bahamas |
| IATA Code | FPO |
| ICAO Code | MYGF |
| Owner | The Government of The Bahamas |
| Previous Owner | Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) and The Port Group (or the Grand Bahama Port Authority) |
| Runway Length | 3,359 m |
| Runway Width | 46 m |
| Runway Capability | Can handle the largest aircraft in service |
| Hurricane Damage | Almost completely destroyed by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019 |
| Reopening Status | No set date for full reopening; domestic travel and NGOs/relief supplies allowed |
| Reopening Challenges | Financial losses, evacuation costs, and complaints of excessive charges by US airlines |
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What You'll Learn
- The Freeport, Bahamas airport was damaged by Hurricane Dorian in 2019
- Domestic travel and relief operations have resumed in temporary facilities
- The US airlines have complained about excessive charges for using Bahamian airspace
- The Freeport Grand Bahama International Airport is also known as FPO
- The Albertus Airport is another airport in Freeport, Illinois
The Freeport, Bahamas airport was damaged by Hurricane Dorian in 2019
The Freeport, Bahamas airport, also known as the Grand Bahama International Airport, was severely damaged by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. The hurricane pelted the airport from September 1 to 3, leaving it submerged under six feet of water. The hurricane caused extensive destruction to the airport, with the Bahamian government spending approximately $1 million on staff severance costs. Thankfully, the airport's runway remained intact, which expedited the resumption of operations.
In the aftermath of the hurricane, the airport was temporarily closed, and personnel worked in tented facilities provided by the Bahamas' National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Despite the challenges, the airport remained open to NGOs and relief supplies, playing a crucial role in the recovery efforts. Bahamasair and Western Air Bahamas resumed domestic travel services, operating from temporary facilities.
The acting chairman of the airport's co-owner, the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), Sarah St George, emphasized the importance of reopening the international airport facilities and welcoming international commercial flights again. The resumption of international flights was a key priority for the airport's management and the Bahamian government.
The Grand Bahama International Airport has a rich history, dating back to its opening in 1966. Over the years, it has witnessed several incidents and crashes, including a de Havilland DH.125 crash in 1966, a Convair 440-86 engine fire in 1979, and a Douglas DC-3A crash in 1980. Despite these challenges, the airport has persevered and continues to serve as a vital transportation hub for the region.
Today, the airport operates with a 3,359-meter-long runway capable of handling the largest aircraft in service. It is located in Freeport, Bahamas, and serves as a gateway to the beautiful beaches and attractions of Grand Bahama Island. The airport is well-connected to worldwide destinations, offering convenient travel options for both locals and tourists alike.
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Domestic travel and relief operations have resumed in temporary facilities
The Freeport, Bahamas airport, also known as the Grand Bahama International Airport, was heavily damaged by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019. The hurricane left the airport under six feet of water. Despite the extensive damage, the airport's runway remained intact.
In the aftermath of the hurricane, domestic travel and relief operations have resumed in temporary facilities. Bahamasair and Western Air Bahamas have restarted their services for domestic travel, operating from temporary setups. The airport has also been accessible to NGOs and relief supplies, with personnel working in tented facilities provided by the Bahamas' National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The acting chairman of the airport co-owner, the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), Sarah St George, has stated that their primary goal is to reopen the international airport facilities and resume welcoming international commercial flights. The resumption of international flights is highly anticipated, as the airport is capable of handling the largest aircraft in service.
While the airport works towards a full reopening, domestic travel and relief operations continue to play a crucial role in connecting communities and providing essential support to those affected by the hurricane's devastation. The temporary facilities have allowed for the transportation of both passengers and relief supplies, contributing to the recovery and rebuilding efforts in the region.
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The US airlines have complained about excessive charges for using Bahamian airspace
The Freeport Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA) in the Bahamas was almost completely destroyed by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. The hurricane left the airport under six feet of water and caused heavy damage. The Bahamian government purchased the airport in April 2021.
In May 2021, the Bahamas Air Navigation Services Authority (BANSA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) entered into a formal air navigation services agreement (ANSA) to allow the Bahamas to collect fees for the use of its airspace. The Bahamian government started charging its own fees for the use of Bahamian airspace, which led to a complaint by US airlines about excessive charges.
On December 19, 2022, eight US airlines, represented by the trade association and lobbying group Airlines for America (A4A), filed a joint complaint with the US Department of Transportation (DOT) against the Bahamas government and several Bahamian air carriers. The complaint alleged that the Bahamas was charging excessive and discriminatory fees for the use of its airspace, which violated the Air Transport Agreement (ATA) between the two countries. The complainants included American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines, FedEx, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and United Parcel Service.
A4A contended that the fees charged by the Bahamas were "'astronomical' and far exceeded the cost of providing air navigation services. They argued that the Bahamas was exercising its sovereign right over its airspace through these charges, but that the excessive levies breached its obligations under the US-Bahamas ATA. Additionally, A4A claimed that its member airlines were being charged twice for the same service, as they already paid annual charges to the FAA for airspace services. In response, the Bahamian government argued that the A4A complaint was an attempt by its members to access Bahamian airspace without paying for it and that the DOT did not have jurisdiction over the matter.
The outcome of this complaint and the potential impact on the operations of the Freeport Grand Bahama International Airport are not clear from the available sources. However, it is important to note that the airport has faced significant challenges due to natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resumption of international flights is a key goal for the airport's management.
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The Freeport Grand Bahama International Airport is also known as FPO
The airport has a long history of incidents and crashes. On November 22, 1966, a de Havilland DH.125 N235KC of Florida Commuter Airlines crashed into the sea off Grand Bahamas during an illegal flight from Miami, Florida. In 1979, a Convair 440-86 of Mackey International Airlines suffered an engine fire just after takeoff, causing the aircraft to depart the runway and end up in the sea upon landing. Fortunately, all 46 people on board escaped unharmed.
Another incident occurred in 1980 when a Douglas DC-3A of Florida Commuter Airlines crashed into the sea off West End while en route to Grand Bahama International Airport. This time, sadly, all 34 passengers were killed. More recently, in 2014, a Lear 36 Executive Jet crashed on approach to the airport, resulting in the deaths of all nine people on board, including evangelist Myles Munroe and his wife. In 2017, a Western Air Saab 340 passenger aircraft experienced landing gear failure shortly after takeoff, resulting in a crash landing at the airport. Fortunately, all 30 passengers survived, with only two minor injuries reported.
Despite these incidents, the airport continues to serve as a hub for domestic and international travel, with various airlines offering flights to and from Freeport, Grand Bahama.
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Freeport, Bahamas' Grand Bahama International Airport was almost completely destroyed by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. The airport was pelted with rain, leaving it under six feet of water and causing extensive damage. Thankfully, the runway remained intact. In the aftermath, the airport was open to NGOs and relief supplies, with personnel working out of tented facilities provided by the Bahamas' National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The airport has since been purchased by the government of the Bahamas, which spent approximately $1 million on staff severance costs.
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Frequently asked questions
The Freeport airport in the Bahamas was almost completely destroyed by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. The government of the Bahamas purchased the airport in 2021 and it is currently open for domestic travel.
Hurricane Dorian hit the Freeport airport from 1-3 September 2019, leaving the airport under six feet of water and heavily damaged.
The airport's runway sustained no damage, but the airport was left under six feet of water and heavily damaged.
Bahamasair and Western Air Bahamas have resumed services in temporary facilities for domestic travel.
The Freeport airport is currently open and operational, with very low delay status.
