Lynden Pindling International Airport

Lynden Pindling
International Airport
IATA: NASICAO: MYNN
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Government of Bahamas
Serves Nassau
Location Nassau, Bahamas
Hub for Bahamasair
Elevation AMSL 16 ft / 5 m
Coordinates 25°02′20″N 077°27′58″W / 25.03889°N 77.46611°W / 25.03889; -77.46611Coordinates: 25°02′20″N 077°27′58″W / 25.03889°N 77.46611°W / 25.03889; -77.46611
Website nassaulpia.com
Map
MYNN

Location in The Bahamas

Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
14/32 3,358 11,017 Asphalt
09/27 2,537 8,323 Asphalt
Statistics (2014)
Passengers 3,253,796
Passenger change 13–14 Increase3.3%
Aircraft movements 136,948
Movements change 13–14 N.D.
Source: DAFIF,[1][2] ACI's 2014 World Airport Traffic Report.

Lynden Pindling International Airport (IATA: NAS, ICAO: MYNN), formerly known as Nassau International Airport, is the largest airport in the Bahamas and the largest international gateway into the country. It is a major hub for Bahamasair and is located in western New Providence island near the capital city of Nassau.

History

Early years

The airport was opened in January 1940 and was known as Oakes Field after Harry Oakes, the millionaire who made a large contribution to its creation. It was the first airport in the Bahamas. Prior to that aviation in the Bahamas was largely carried out by seaplanes.[3][4]

During World War II on 30 December 1942, the airport was renamed Windsor Field (after the Duke of Windsor) and became a Royal Air Force station.[5] Windsor Field was used for delivery flights of US-built fighter and bomber aircraft such as the Boeing B-17 and Consolidated B-24 bombers, and the Curtiss P-40 fighter from the aircraft manufacturers to the North African and European Theatres of War. It was also a base station for Consolidated Liberator I and North American Mitchell patrol bombers combating the German Navy's U-Boat threat.

After World War II on 1 June 1946 the RAF withdrew from Windsor Field and Oakes Field reverted to civilian use as the main airport in the Bahamas.[6] At the Regional Caribbean Conference of the International Civil Aviation Organization held in Washington in September, 1946, Oakes Field was recommended for designation as a long range regular airport. Oakes International Airport was kept in operation until mid-night, 1 November 1957, when Nassau International Airport at Windsor Field was brought into full operation.[6]

The name of the airport was officially changed on 6 July 2006 in honour of The Right Honourable Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling (22 March 1930 – 25 August 2000), first Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas (1973-1992). Sir Lynden is recognised as the Father of the Nation, having led the Bahamas to Majority Rule in 1967 as well as Independence from the United Kingdom in 1973.

Expansion and renovations

US departures area

With more than 3 million passengers and over 80,000 takeoffs and landings, the airport had reached its capacity by 2011 and its facilities were outdated and insufficient. In 2006, Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) entered a 10-year management agreement with YVR Airport Services Ltd. (YVRAS) to manage, operate and redevelop the airport.[7]

The redevelopment updated the airport facilities to world-class standards and expanded terminal capacity. The work was carried out in three stages. The first stage included the design and construction of a new 247,000 sq ft (22,900 m2) U.S Departures Terminal. at a cost of $198.1 million. Stage 2 consisted of the complete renovation of the current U.S terminal, to serve as the new U.S/International Arrivals Terminal, with a budget of $127.9 million. Stage 3 involved the design and construction of a new 112,000 sq ft (10,400 m2) domestic arrivals and departures terminal, as well as an International Departures Terminal at the location of the existing International Arrivals Hall. This last stage cost $83.5 million.[7]

The first stage was completed in March 2011. The $409.5 million invested resulted in 585,000 sq ft (54,300 m2) of terminal space, a 21% increase, as well as the ability to accommodate 50% more passengers. The third and final phase of the project was completed in October 2013. The airport now features 10 jet-bridge capable gates. Other features include four gates capable of taking Boeing 747-sized aircraft and one capable of handling the Airbus A380, the world's largest airliner. An additional 1 million square feet of airport operating surface has also been added. There are also 24 new retail outlets and 16 bars and lounges located across sprawling terminal complex.

The airport handled 3.2 million passengers in 2008; and it is expected that the expansion will allow for roughly 5.2 million passengers to be processed by 2020, according to NAD.[7] The airport contains US Border preclearance facilities allowing all US flights to operate as domestic flights upon arrival at their destination. In February 2015, the US Border Preclarence Facility installed 20 Automated Passenger Control (APC) self serve kiosks to improve the efficiency of passenger processing for US bound travelers.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

AirlinesDestinations
Air Canada Rouge Toronto–Pearson
Seasonal: Montréal–Trudeau
American Airlines Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Philadelphia, Washington–National
Seasonal: Miami
American Eagle Miami, Washington–National
Bahamasair Arthur's Town, Cockburn Town, Colonel Hill, Deadman's Cay, Fort Lauderdale, Freeport, George Town, Governor's Harbour, Havana, Marsh Harbour, Matthew Town, Miami, New Bight, North Eleuthera, Orlando–International, Providenciales, Rock Sound, Spring Point, Treasure Cay, West Palm Beach
British Airways Grand Cayman, London–Heathrow
Caribbean Airlines Kingston–Norman Manley, Montego Bay, Port of Spain
Copa Airlines Panama City
Delta Air Lines Atlanta, New York–JFK
Seasonal: Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul
Delta Connection Seasonal: Boston
Flamingo Air Staniel Cay
IBC Airways Cap-Haitien, Fort Lauderdale
InterCaribbean Airways Providenciales
JetBlue Airways Boston, Fort Lauderdale, New York–JFK, Orlando–International, Washington–National
Pineapple Air Chub Cay, Colonel Hill, Deadman's Cay, Long Island, Spring Point
Silver Airways Fort Myers, Jacksonville (FL), Tampa, West Palm Beach (all begin May 26, 2016)[8][9]
SkyBahamas Airlines Arthur's Town, Fort Lauderdale, Freeport, George Town, Marsh Harbour, New Bight, San Salvador
Southern Air Charter Deadman's Cay, Governor's Harbour, Long Island, North Eleuthera
Southwest Airlines Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale (begins August 7, 2016)[10]
Sun Country Airlines Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul
Sunwing Airlines Toronto–Pearson
United Airlines Houston–Intercontinental, Newark
Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare
United Express Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare, Washington–Dulles
Western Air Andros Town, Congo Town, Freeport, George Town, Mangrove Cay, Marsh Harbour, San Andros, South Bimini
WestJet Toronto–Pearson
Seasonal: Calgary

Cargo

Airline Destinations
IBC Airways Miami
Skyway Seasonal: Santiago de los Caballeros

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

  1. Airport information for MYNN at World Aero Data. Data current as of October 2006.Source: DAFIF.
  2. Airport information for NAS at Great Circle Mapper. Source: DAFIF (effective October 2006).
  3. http://www.bahamapundit.com/2005/11/the_origins_of_.html
  4. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=PrA0BNGP_wsC&pg=PT27&dq=oakes+airfield+opened&hl=en&sa=X&ei=yoAZVMyqFOGI7AbRgoDQBw&ved=0CEgQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=oakes%20airfield%20opened&f=false
  5. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=3DD50t5xO2MC&pg=PT82&lpg=PT82&dq=nassau-Windsor+field+RAF+station&source=bl&ots=9IlkUZ-riX&sig=EeP3iM_tDRbcRYqmU_R6-S9YReU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=c3kZVLqbOYPmaMqKgrAG&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=nassau-Windsor%20field%20RAF%20station&f=false
  6. 1 2 http://www.bcaa.gov.bs/history/
  7. 1 2 3 Nassau Airport Development Company – 2009 Annual Report
  8. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/silver-airways-further-expands-bahamian-132744140.html
  9. "Silver Airways Adds Jacksonville FL – Nassau Service from late-May 2016". airlineroute. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  10. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southwest-airlines-flight-schedule-extended-through-nov-4-2016-adding-more-nonstop-service-for-customers-in-every-region-of-the-us-300222352.html

External links

Media related to Lynden Pindling International Airport at Wikimedia Commons

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