NASSAU, BAHAMAS- The North Eleuthera International Airport has officially mobilised construction, marking the formal kickoff of the project’s second phase and a major step in the island’s infrastructure development.
Launched in mid-August 2025, the initiative is expected to modernise the airport terminal, attract additional domestic and international airlift, and create new economic and entrepreneurial opportunities for the local community.
The kick-off meeting brought together a broad coalition of stakeholders, including MP for North Eleuthera Sylvanus Petty,; Dr. Kenneth Romer, Director of Aviation; directors from the Islands Airport Development Company (IADP); officials from The Airport Authority; chief counsellors and local government representatives; members of the North Eleuthera Commonage Committee; Ministry of Tourism officials; airport law enforcement officers, including the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Bahamas Customs and Bahamas Immigration; members of the North Eleuthera Aero Association; and other community leaders.
“This project kick-off session represents a significant milestone in advancing to the next phase in the active construction of the airport terminal, that will create unparalleled economic and entrepreneurial opportunities for the island community, attract additional international and domestic airlift and deliver world-class facilities and infrastructure that reflect sustainable and resilient solutions,” said Dr. Romer.
The North Eleuthera International Airport is part of the Government’s broader Family Islands Renaissance Project, launched in March 2023 to identify airports needing new construction or urgent upgrades. Since then, work has commenced in phases across more than 14 airports in the archipelago, including North Eleuthera.
In May 2025, the project’s developers, Island Airport Development Partners (IADP)—a consortium including Phoenix Infrastructure, Plenary Americas, and airport operator AvPort—completed Phase 1, renovating the existing terminal and international arrivals section to enhance the passenger experience and address longstanding safety and facility concerns.
“We are excited to launch the second phase of the airport construction, in mid-August, by using local qualified and experienced contractors for preliminary civil works,” said Mike Schutt, Director of IADP and Senior Vice President & Group Co-Head, Project Structuring and Investment for Plenary Americas.
Civil works will include site clearing, grading, and pad preparation ahead of full building construction, scheduled to begin in October 2025, with completion of the new terminal targeted for the third quarter of 2026.
“While our consortium is committed to managing capital financing and importing technical knowledge and operational efficiencies to deliver user experiences aligned with international best practice levels, we have a greater commitment to serving the community of North Eleuthera and ensuring that we train and develop local talent to manage the facilities to achieve profitable levels of performance and economic growth,” said Jeremy Ebie, IADP Director and Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Phoenix Infrastructure Group.
MP Petty added: “This airport development is a long-anticipated dream for North Eleuthera, a proud community that sustainably contributes to our country’s overall economy. I am pleased that The Government is delivering on its mandate to rescue the economy and empower Bahamians, while making legacy-defining investments in infrastructure.”
Parallel airside works are anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2026 through a project funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), ensuring the airport meets international standards for safety, efficiency, and operational capacity.
