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Last Updated: Jun 14, 2021 - 4:05:55 PM |
During peak hours, airport ambassadors may direct US-bound travelers to wait briefly in the LPIA’s Summer Garden Lounge prior to proceeding to airport security screening and United States Customs.
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Nassau, Bahamas - In an effort to mitigate the impact of growing
passenger traffic and COVID-19 protocols, key stakeholders at Lynden
Pindling International Airport (LPIA) have finalized plans to ensure
that passengers can be safely and efficiently processed through the
airport during what promises to be a busy upcoming summer travel season.
Nassau has been selected as a homeport for two cruise
lines beginning this month. Following the first 7-day cruise,
approximately 900 passengers will be departing Nassau for the United
States on Saturday, June 19th, 2021. The airport anticipates heavy
arrivals and departures of cruise passengers every Saturday and Sunday
thereafter, and for this number to grow to 3,500 passengers each weekend
by July.
In addition, summer projections for
land-based passenger arrivals and departures at LPIA indicate steady
recovery from the pandemic, with a potential additional 4500 passengers
between Saturday and Sunday.
“We are fortunate that
our largest source market, the United States, has been very successful
with their vaccine distribution and there is significant pent-up demand
for travel given the challenges and restrictions of the past year living
with COVID-19. People are ready to travel and month by month we are
seeing improvements in our passenger numbers.” said Vernice Walkine,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Nassau Airport Development
Company Ltd.
“During this busy summer travel period we
wish to assure the travelling public that their safety is our paramount
concern. Our overall objective is to make certain that a high level of
efficiency prevails in the terminals coupled with excellent customer
service resulting in a positive experience for our passengers,” she
continued.
The airport continuously works with its key
stakeholders to maximize the efficiency of operations and mitigate any
potential challenges within its facilities. As a result, in 2020 LPIA
was one of the first airports in Latin America and the Caribbean to
achieve a COVID-19 Health Accreditation from the Airports Council
International.
LPIA Reveals New Summer 2021 Operations Plan,
Shares Important Travel Tips for Passengers
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As the airport supports Nassau as a
home cruise port and manages its recovering land passenger base, LPIA is
offering the following tips to local passengers planning to travel this
summer.
1. Given the volume of passengers that
will be commencing cruises in Nassau, if possible, avoid travel on
Saturday and Sunday and choose a slower day to begin and end your
vacation or business trip. Also, consider travel during off peak times
and look for flights either before 9:00am or after 2:00pm, which is a
peak travel period at the airport.
2. When
travelling to the US, particularly on peak days and times, ensure that
you are at the airport 3 to 3.5 hours ahead of your scheduled flight
departure time. Given the impact of COVID-19, passenger processing is
slower and more complex.
3. Whether you are
vaccinated or not, a negative COVID-19 test result (PCR or Rapid
Antigen) and completed Attestation form (found on LPIA’s website at
www.nassaulpia.com) is needed for all persons travelling to the United
States. This will be required for check in with your airline and tests
should be completed prior to arrival at the airport.
4.
For travel within The Bahamas, a negative COVID-19 (PCR Test) is
required if you are not fully vaccinated (two shots with the last shot
given more than two weeks prior to travel) along with a Bahamas Health
VISA for domestic check in.
5. Checked luggage
should be taken to your airline counter. Very Important: Please remove
old luggage tags prior to placing a new luggage tag for your
destination. If you are travelling to the United States, once you
present your checked bag(s) to your airline, an image of your bag(s)
will appear on the airline counter video screen to confirm each bag is
checked in for your flight.
6. Checked luggage
should be taken to your airline counter. Very Important: Please remove
old luggage tags prior to placing a new luggage tag for your
destination. Your airline should tag your checked luggage to your
boarding pass. For persons travelling to the United States, please
ensure you see an image of your checked bag(s) on the tablet screen at
the airline counter.
7. After check-in,
passengers travelling to the US may be directed by an airport ambassador
to wait briefly in the airport’s Summer Garden Lounge prior to
proceeding to airport security screening and United States Customs for
processing. This wait is to allow passengers to be processed in order
of scheduled departure time. The lounge is a beautiful and comfortable
outdoor space with amenities like food and beverage, WIFI, entertainment
and limited shopping.
8. Passengers should have
their passport and boarding pass available to enter the security
screening process. Passengers will be required to remove jackets,
belts, shoes and empty pockets, and remove laptops from carry-on luggage
for the security screening process.
9. As LPIA is
a US Pre-Clearance facility, each passenger will undergo inspection by a
United States Customs & Border Protection Officer prior to leaving
Nassau. Bahamians need a valid passport and police record or US VISA
for travel. Family members living in the same household can be
inspected together.
10. Once these formalities are
done, you may proceed to your airline gate or enjoy the shopping and
dining amenities available in the U.S. Departures Lounge. All gates are
within a three-minute walk from anywhere in the US or
Domestic/International Departure Lounge.
11. Upon your
return or arrival to Nassau, remember you will need a Bahamas Health
Visa and a negative COVID-19 PCR test for entry to the country if you
are not fully vaccinated. If you are fully vaccinated, then you will
need the Bahamas Health Visa and proof of your vaccination. These are
to be presented to Bahamas Immigration along with your passport for
admittance to The Bahamas.
12. This summer, returning
residents will now have two additional options to complete their Bahamas
Customs declaration forms and pay duties or claim exemptions. This is
in addition to the current process of presenting a completed C17 Customs
Declaration form to a Bahamas Customs officer for assessment.
Returning
residents should consider downloading and using the new Bahamas Customs
Exempt App to fill out their declaration electronically, upload their
receipts
and pay customs duties and/or claim exemption online
prior to arrival in Nassau. Once luggage is collected, returning
residents then only need to proceed to a
customs officer for
baggage inspection. Bahamas Customs also has kiosks available at the
airport that perform the same services as the App and allows for
credit/debit card payments online or cash payments at the airport.
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