His disclosure was made during a media forum at the British Colonial Hilton Hotel when he fielded questions from four journalists. But he did not reveal how much this charge will be, which will be added to the cost of an airline ticket.
A security charge is also being proposed.
Mr. Christie said that the government recently completed the bidding process for the repairs to the airport.
“You can expect, therefore, that the government will be making an announcement shortly [regarding] a fee that passengers will have to pay,” he said.
The passenger facility charge is not new to the Bahamas. Recently, the tax was introduced at the Grand Bahama International Airport to help improve the infrastructure of that facility.
The prime minister added that the government wants to ensure that the right management is in place for the airport.
Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin explained Tuesday that airports around the world are using professional management companies to oversee their facilities. But she said the government will continue to own and regulate the airport and there will continue to be heavy Bahamian involvement at top levels.
Transport officials have noted that the country’s main airport is so badly in need of upgrades that it is one of the worst airports in the Caribbean.
Last year, Minister Hanna Martin and representatives from the Airport Authority, recognizing the terrible state that the NIA was in, traveled to several Caribbean countries to view their improved airports.
As a result of their visits, a significant number of possible management companies for the NIA have been interviewed.
Prime Minister Christie said the government intends to soon start a bidding process to choose a management company for the airport.
The planned improvements would come as the government prepares to rename the airport after the late Sir Lynden Pindling, former prime minister.
Yvette Rolle-Major, The Bahama Journal
