NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A contract for the new Deadman’s Cay Airport terminal could be signed before the end of this month, a milestone that Deputy Director General of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Dr. Kenneth Romer says is essential to supporting Long Island’s tourism growth, with foreign air arrivals now up 26.5 percent over 2019.
Addressing the Long Island Business Outlook, Dr Romer said the island is performing well despite operating under significant capacity constraints. The new terminal, he argued, is the key that will finally allow Long Island’s tourism and aviation sectors to grow in line with demand. “There is every intention that before the end of this month, you will hear and you will celebrate the contract signing for the terminal for the new Deadman’s Cay Airport,” said Dr Romer.
“Long Island continues to hold its own when it comes to foreign air and sea arrivals,” Romer told attendees. He noted that when he checked the latest data, “Long Island as a whole, in terms of foreign air arrivals is showing a 26.5 percent growth year over year compared to where you were 2019.”
But he also stressed that the island has reached the limit of what its current airport can support. “Your growth is constrained by capacity,” he said. “So while on the one hand we are pressing the gas pedal, on the other hand we’re still pressing the brakes because your growth is constrained by your capacity.”
Dr Romer noted that the new Deadman’s Cay Airport terminal is being engineered to solve these constraints once and for all. He emphasized that the design work is complete and the project is preparing to move into execution.
“Before the end of this month, you will hear the contract signing for the terminal for the new Deadman’s Cay Airport,” he said. He called the upcoming signing a decisive moment for the island, one that solidifies the government’s commitment to modernizing Long Island’s primary gateway.
The 10,000 sq ft terminal will feature separate blocks for international arrivals and domestic departures, creating an operational flow that meets global aviation standards. Romer said the design includes open ticketing counters for at least four airlines, airline offices, and a covered departure gate to shield passengers from the elements.
Inside the terminal, the departure lounge will hold 115 passengers. The building will be elevated feet to reduce flood risk — an issue that has historically affected Deadman’s Cay — and a new drainage system will be installed to prevent water pooling during heavy rain.
Romer underscored that the airport is not just an infrastructure project, but a platform for entrepreneurship and economic expansion. He said the government is working with the Tourism Development Corporation to ensure that “opportunities for vendors and small businesses” are intentionally built into the terminal’s commercial space.
He urged Long Island entrepreneurs to begin preparing now, saying the terminal will open the door to sustained growth in tourism-linked ventures, from food and beverage operations to retail offerings and hospitality services.
“We are not just building new airports — we are building new economic opportunities,” he said.
In addition to the terminal itself, Romer said major upgrades are scheduled for the airside. The runway at Deadman’s Cay will be extended to 6,500 feet, and the runway’s elevation will be raised. Surrounding hills will be cut down to ensure better approach paths and safer landings.
These upgrades, he said, will allow for consistent, year-round service from much larger aircraft.
“You will be able to land a 737 consistently in Deadman’s Cay, Long Island … year-round service,” Romer said.
He added that these improvements are essential to attracting new carriers. Legacy airlines cannot commit to service until the island has infrastructure that supports their fleet types and passenger volumes. With the upgrades, the government anticipates stronger interest from international carriers.
To ensure construction proceeds without interruption, Romer said some traffic will be shifted temporarily to Stella Maris Airport.
“For a period … we’re estimating … we’ll have some traffic in Stella Maris so that nothing is impeding your airside works,” he said.
He emphasized that this short-term inconvenience is necessary for long-term improvements. By Easter moving into summer, residents and visitors should begin seeing visible progress, especially on the airside.
Romer highlighted that even without the presence of international legacy carriers — and with Bahamasair “operating at sometimes only 50–60 percent capacity” — Long Island is still achieving double-digit growth.
“You are holding your own even without legacy carriers,” he said, calling the island’s performance “impressive” under restrictive conditions.
But he warned that without the new terminal and upgraded runway, Long Island will continue to miss out on opportunities simply because demand cannot be accommodated.
“The demand is already here. The opportunity is already here. Now the infrastructure must rise to meet it,” he said.
He argued that Long Island cannot attract new resorts, expand its vacation rental market, or grow its services sector without an airport capable of handling more arrivals, more frequently, with greater efficiency.
Once the terminal and runway improvements are completed, he said, Long Islanders will be positioned to expand accommodations and attract new investment to “put heads in beds” consistently throughout the year.
