Bermudas new airport passenger terminal opens
Bermudas new state-of-the-art passenger terminal building at the LF Wade International Airport was officially opened yesterday.
Image courtesy Bermuda Skyport Corporation Ltd
A ribbon cutting marked the official opening before passengers entered the new terminal to check in for Delta flight 616 to New York’s JFK International Airport, supported by Aaron Adderley, Skyport President; Steve Nackan, Aecon Concessions President and Skyport Chairman; His Excellency the Governor; Lester Nelson, Bermuda Airport Authority (BAA) CEO; Lovitta Foggo, JP,MP, BAA Chairwoman; Ianthia Wade, JP, MP, widow of the late L Frederick Wade, with video remarks from Canada’s Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, The Honourable Mary Ng; and Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) Interim CEO, Ernie Briard.
Aaron Adderley, President, Bermuda Skyport, said: “With the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) and prime contractors, Aecon, we were able to find a turn-key solution, bespoke in nature, that afforded Bermuda the opportunity to do what many small airports in the world our size have found difficult to do – namely, to successfully attract private sector investment to finance a major capital redevelopment.
“Once again, Bermuda has blazed a trail in setting new standards internationally for others to follow. Whilst the project’s business model has proven innovative, its economic impacts have proven to be widespread. Nearly 400 local businesses have been contracted since the start of the project and nearly $400 million has been invested in the local economy. Over half of the 1.6 million manhours spent constructing this world class facility were by Bermuda’s own men and women. We should be proud of their quality craftmanship.”
The 288,000 square foot facility provides improved passenger processing, increased passenger capacity, greater resilience to extreme weather conditions, modern amenities and infrastructure, greater energy efficiencies, enhanced security, enhanced specialty retail and food & beverage outlets, and covered passenger jet bridges.
Lester Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of the Bermuda Airport Authority, said: “Several weeks ago, in my role as CEO of the Airport Authority, I notified Skyport that we agreed the conditions of Substantial Completion of the Airport Redevelopment Project had been met. The level of effort by the Authority’s oversight team and the robust framework behind this notification was significant.
"Today is a major milestone and you will be pleased to know that this building has been completed to the required technical specifications and contractual obligations. I congratulate Skyport, Aecon and all construction workers for a job well done.”
The new terminal enables Bermuda to comply with the latest, most-advanced US facility requirements for Pre-Clearance. Pre-Clearance allows for US bound passengers to clear US Customs and Immigration in Bermuda, instead of on arrival in the US where longer lines often exist. This service, present in Bermuda for nearly 50 years, is extremely beneficial to passengers and provides the Island with a competitive advantage when seeking new air services to and from the United States.
Steve Nackan, President, Aecon Concessions, the project’s developer and financier, said: “The genesis of today’s success story lies in the deep-rooted ties between Canada and Bermuda. Built upon the kinship of our two countries, the Canadian Commercial Corporation (or CCC) and the Government of Bermuda partnered with us to develop this much needed new facility. CCC – supported by the extended Government of Canada family – have been a true and valued partner – and their diplomatic approach has been a hallmark of the project’s success.
"Together, we mobilised nearly $400m of private investment – drawn to the long-term promise of Bermuda – and the opportunity to play a part in the revitalisation of Bermuda’s economy. Also through innovative thinking – we built and proved the model for how small airports can nevertheless achieve world class outcomes. Sincere partnership and collaboration were keys to this success – between the Government of Bermuda, the Bermuda Airport Authority, CCC, Skyport, the Aecon team, our operational readiness team from the Munich Airport – and all of our international and Bermudian business partners.”
There were 885 Bermudians who worked on the site over the course of the airport redevelopment project, which began in March 2017 and a total of 1.6 million construction manhours. Additionally, the project engaged almost 400 Bermudian companies, vendors and suppliers in what became an extraordinary collaboration of local and international efforts.
Ernie Briard, Interim President & CEO of CCC, said: “The new terminal not only helps to showcase Bermuda’s unique identity, its development is part of the unfolding story of the people of this extraordinary island and their aspirations for economic prosperity. We are grateful to Skyport and the Bermuda Airport Authority for placing their trust in Aecon and CCC to lead an enterprise of such national importance.”
The airport redevelopment project was completed on budget, on time and on spec.