The Progressive Labour Party will hold a public meeting next week to discuss government plans to redevelop LF Wade International Airport.

Finance Minister Bob Richards recently unveiled that the Bermuda Government had sealed an agreement with the Canadian Commercial Corporation to build a repurposed terminal, which would be gradually paid off under a tailored public-private partnership.

But David Burt, the Shadow Minister for Finance, has branded the plans “privatisation” and questioned why there was no tendering process.

“With $1 billion of future Bermuda revenue at stake, a no-bid contract to a Canadian company and the loss of control of our airport for 30 years through privatisation, this is an issue of national importance,” he said.

Lawrence Scott, the Shadow Minister for Transport, added: “LF Wade International is employed nearly 100 per cent by Bermudians, provides a major source of revenue to the Government and is our primary access point to Bermuda.

“We simply cannot permit it to be privatised for 30 years in what appears to be a backroom deal that could jeopardise Bermudian jobs.”

Government has defended the airport redevelopment project saying it will create jobs for Bermudians as well as denying the deal amounts to privatisation.

The town hall meeting will be held on Tuesday at Francis Patton Primary School starting at 7pm. Mr Burt and Mr Scott will both be speaking at the forum and outlining the PLP’s alternative vision for the airport.