Above: the new international terminal at Marsh Harbour Airport (BIS Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Bahamas has officially opened the new 46,000-square-foot international terminal at Marsh Harbour in Abaco.

Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie was on hand Wednesday to view the new terminal, calling it a “major accomplishment” for the people of Abaco.

The terminal held a soft opening on Tuesday.

“This is a new phase in our growth and development,” Bahamas Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said. “We are in a revolutionary age where we see new growth and development throughout The Bahamas. It is not just New Providence or Grand Bahama but also Abaco, which is fundamental in our development. So this is a major stride for the country’s tourism industry.”

Donald Dean, the chief project architect for the terminal, said it had been designed in the typical “Abaco” style, with hardy planks and coral stones combined with traditional materials.

The terminal was built by FES Construction, led by James Edgecombe.