Aecon is pleased to celebrate the opening of Bermuda’s new, state-of-the-art passenger terminal building at the LF Wade International Airport. A ribbon cutting marked the official opening before passengers entered the new terminal to check in for the first departing flight to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, operated by Delta Airlines.
To mark the opening, a press conference was held with remarks from Aaron Adderley, Skyport President; Steve Nackan, Aecon Concessions President and Skyport Chairman; His Excellency the Governor; Lester Nelson, Bermuda Airport Authority (BAA) CEO; Lovitta Foggo, BAA Chairwoman; video remarks from Canada’s Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, The Honourable Mary Ng; and Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) Interim CEO, Ernie Briard.
“The genesis of today’s success story lies in the deep-rooted ties between Canada and Bermuda. Built upon the kinship of our two countries, the Canadian Commercial Corporation (or CCC) and the Government of Bermuda partnered with us to develop this much needed new facility. CCC – supported by the extended Government of Canada family – have been a true and valued partner and their diplomatic approach has been a hallmark of the project’s success. Together, we mobilized nearly $400 million of private investment – drawn to the long-term promise of Bermuda – and the opportunity to play a part in the revitalization of Bermuda’s economy. Through innovative thinking, we built and proved the model for how small airports can nevertheless achieve world class outcomes,” said Steve Nackan, President, Aecon Concessions, the project’s developer and financier.
Completed on budget, on time and on spec, the new modern 288,000 square foot facility provides improved passenger processing, increased passenger capacity, greater resilience to extreme weather conditions, modern amenities and infrastructure, energy efficiencies, advanced security, enhanced specialty retail and food & beverage outlets, and covered passenger jet bridges.
Alongside the Aecon Construction team, over the course of the last three years, 885 Bermudians worked on the site totalling 1.6 million construction manhours – with industry leading safety performance gold standard construction. Additionally, the project engaged almost 400 Bermudian companies, vendors and suppliers in what became an extraordinary collaboration of local and international efforts.
“Sincere partnership and collaboration were keys to this success – between the Government of Bermuda, the Bermuda Airport Authority, CCC, Skyport, the Aecon team, our operational readiness team from the Munich Airport and all of our international and Bermudian business partners,” said Nackan.
Aaron Adderley, President, Bermuda Skyport, further underscored the importance of key partnerships which steered the project’s success.
“With the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) and prime contractors, Aecon, we were able to find a turn-key solution, bespoke in nature, that afforded Bermuda the opportunity to do what many small airports in the world our size have found difficult to do – namely, to successfully attract private sector investment to finance a major capital redevelopment. Once again, Bermuda has blazed a trail in setting new standards internationally for others to follow.”
Whilst the project’s business model has proven innovative, its economic impacts have proven to be widespread.
“Nearly 400 local businesses have been contracted since the start of the project and nearly $400 million has been invested in the local economy. Over half of the 1.6 million manhours spent constructing this world class facility were by Bermuda’s own men and women. We should be proud of their quality craftmanship,” said Adderley.
The new terminal enables Bermuda to comply with the latest, most-advanced U.S. facility requirements for Pre-Clearance. Pre-Clearance allows for U.S. bound passengers to clear U.S. Customs and Immigration in Bermuda, instead of on arrival in the U.S. where longer lines often exist. This service, present in Bermuda for nearly 50 years, is extremely beneficial to passengers and provides the island with a competitive advantage when seeking new air services to and from the United States.
A perfect blend of traditional Bermudian experiences and modern amenities, the airport is now a gateway Bermuda can be proud of. Design team Scott Associates, assisted by their local partner OBMI and extensive consultations with Bermudians, have created a visual expression of Bermuda’s culture.
“The new terminal not only helps to showcase Bermuda’s unique identity – its development is part of the unfolding story of the people of this extraordinary island and their aspirations for economic prosperity. We are grateful to Skyport and the Bermuda Airport Authority for placing their trust in Aecon and CCC to lead an enterprise of such national importance,” said Ernie Briard, Interim President & CEO of CCC.
“The iconic design and architecture of the new terminal integrates both the interior and exterior experience. From the outdoor patio flanked by a cascading water feature, to inside the terminal where travelers can access generous exterior terraces while enjoying food and beverage accommodations overlooking views of the island – these are just a few of the state-of-the art components,” explained Darija Scott, of architectural firm Scott Associates.
Built with resiliency, sustainability and adaptability top-of-mind, the new terminal also incorporates storm surge mitigation mechanisms and energy efficiency features, as well as water reclamation and wastewater treatment systems – just to name a few. With an increased footprint, the new terminal’s expanded seating capacity and use of new technology also enables safe and seamless travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The LF Wade International Airport has obtained the Airports Council International Health Accreditation based on the COVID-19 control measures implemented and proposed for the New Terminal Building.
For further information on the new terminal, its innovative sustainability features, iconic design and more, please watch for updates at www.bermudaairport.com or join Aecon’s online community on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram @AeconGroup.
