Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA) (IATA: FPO, ICAO: MYGF) is an international airport in Freeport, The Bahamas. It was privately owned until the government of The Bahamas purchased it in April 29 2021 for one Bahamian dollar, a deal they were able to procure largely due to the devastation from Hurricane Dorian, which almost completely destroyed the airport in 2019.[2][3] The Bahamian government spent a approximately $1 million on staff severance costs as part of the deal.[4]
Grand Bahama International Airport | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Owner | Freeport Airport Development Company (Government of The Bahamas) | ||||||||||
| Serves | Freeport, The Bahamas | ||||||||||
| Hub for | |||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 8 ft / 2 m | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 26°33′31″N 078°41′44″W / 26.55861°N 78.69556°W | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  MYGF Location in the Bahamas | |||||||||||
 | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Before being purchased by the government of The Bahamas, the airport was a joint venture between Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) and The Port Group (or the Grand Bahama Port Authority). The facility also includes 741 acres (300 ha) of land that adjoins it to the Freeport Harbour Company Limited as they operate as one entity, known as the Sea Air Business Centre (SABC).[5]
Facilities
editThe airport has a 3,359 m × 46 m (11,020 ft × 151 ft) runway which is capable of handling the largest aircraft in service and is relatively close to all major cities of the Eastern Seaboard of the United States.
Some other features that are available at the Grand Bahama International Airport are:
- PAPI (Precision approach path indicator) system
- Distance-remaining markers
- Category seven fire fighting facilities
- General aviation services
- Air conditioned passenger terminal (Set temp: 28 degrees C)
Airlines and destinations
editPassenger
edit| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| American Eagle | Miami Seasonal: Charlotte |
| Bahamasair | Fort Lauderdale, Nassau, West Palm Beach (begins November 17, 2024)[6] Seasonal: Orlando |
| Flamingo Air | Marsh Harbour, South Bimini |
| Neos | Seasonal: Milan–Malpensa |
| Silver Airways | Fort Lauderdale |
| Sunwing Airlines | Seasonal: Montréal–Trudeau, Toronto–Pearson |
| Western Air | Fort Lauderdale, Nassau |
Cargo
edit| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| IBC Airways | Miami |
| FedEx Feeder | Miami |
Accidents and incidents
edit- On 12 November 1964, Lockheed Lodestar N171Q stalled after take-off and was destroyed by fire in the subsequent crash, killing all four people on board.[7]
- On 22 November 1966, de Havilland DH.125 N235KC of Florida Commuter Airlines crashed into the sea 7.3 km (3.9 nmi) off Grand Bahamas during an illegal flight from Miami, Florida.[8]
- On 24 November 1979, Convair 440-86 N444JM of Mackey International Airlines was on an international non-scheduled passenger flight to Fort Lauderdale International Airport when the starboard engine caught fire just after take-off. On approach to Grand Bahamas International, the engine fell off. On landing, the aircraft departed the runway and ended up in the sea. All 46 people on board escaped from the aircraft.[9]
- On 12 September 1980, Douglas DC-3A N75KW of Florida Commuter Airlines, operating a scheduled international passenger flight from West Palm Beach International Airport, Palm Beach, Florida, United States to Grand Bahama International Airport crashed into the sea 6.5 kilometres (3.5 nmi) off West End. All 34 on board were killed.[10]
- On 20 July 2000, Douglas C-47A N54AA of Allied Air Freight suffered an engine failure on take-off from Grand Bahama International Airport on a cargo flight to Nassau International Airport, Bahamas. The aircraft crashed while attempting to return to Grand Bahama International and was destroyed. Both crew were killed.[11]
- On 9 November 2014, a Lear 36 Executive Jet crashed on approach to the airport. All nine people on board perished, including evangelist Myles Munroe and his wife.[12]
- On 7 February 2017, a Western Air Saab 340 passenger aircraft landing gear failed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft turned around and crashed landed at the airport. All 30 passengers survived and 2 sustained minor injuries.[13]
- From 1–3 September 2019, the airport was pelted by Hurricane Dorian, leaving the airport under six feet of water and heavily damaged.[14]
- On 24 October 2020, An American Eagle ERJ-145LR (N674RJ) operating as Envoy Air Flight 4194 from Miami to Freeport had a runway excursion upon landing. Nobody was injured in the crash. The aircraft had suffered main gear damage, and the left main broke off.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ "Airport information for MYGF". World Aero Data. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) Data current as of October 2006. Source: DAFIF. - ^ "Take-Off For New Era As Govt Buys Airport". The Tribune 242. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ Brown, Oswald (25 March 2021). "GOVERNMENT TO BUY GB AIRPORT IN DEAL SEEN AS VITAL TO SAVE RAVAGED ECONOMY". BAHAMAS CHRONICLE. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ znsbahamas (29 April 2021). "Grand Bahama Airport Officially Owned by Bahamas Government". ZNS BAHAMAS. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ http://www.freeportcontainerport.com/gbair.php Archived 11 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA) is a privately owned ...•Special Cargo/Freight handling area
- ^ "Grand Bahama to welcome boost in tourism with increased fall airlift". ewnews. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ "N171Q Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ "N235KC Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ "N444JM Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ "N75KW Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ "N54AA Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
- ^ "Small plane crashes in Bahamas, killing 9 on board". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
- ^ "Western Air plane crash-lands at Grand Bahama International Airport | The Tribune". m.tribune242.com. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
- ^ Andone, Dakin (5 September 2019). "The airport on the island of Grand Bahama is 'a debris field' after Hurricane Dorian". CNN.com. Retrieved 5 September 2019.