The president of Bermuda’s airport contractor said it was “business as usual” after the Canadian government blocked its $1.5 billion sale to a Chinese company amid national security fears.

Steve Nackan of Aecon said the axed sale of the firm to CCC International, majority owned by the Chinese government, would make no difference to its business.

Mr Nackan added: “The airport agreement provides a solid platform for us to continue making great progress in delivering a world-class airport that Bermuda can be proud of.

“Our strong market position, industry partnerships, and outstanding employees will continue to drive our success.”

Mr Nackan was speaking after Canada put the Chinese deal on hold in February for a national security reviews under the country’s investment laws.

CCCI was banned from building or construction projects for eight years in 2009 by the World Bank after a bid-rigging scandal in the Philippines.

The state-run company has also been linked to the construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea, which has upped tension between China and other Asian countries.

Canadian Crown Corporation and its subcontractor Aecon struck a $250 million deal with the Bermuda Government in 2014 to design, build and operate a new airport for 30 years in a public-private partnership arrangement.

The decision sparked fury in the then-Opposition Progressive Labour Party, which later, after it won the 2017 election, decided it would not be feasible to tear up the contract.

A demonstration outside the House of Assembly in December 2016 to prevent the deal being discussed turned ugly, with protesters pepper sprayed by police and officers assaulted.