Airport -- or retender the contracts, a Shadow Minister said.

Dennis Lister, Shadow Transport Minister, said there had been ample time since McDonald's was banned to decide the issue.

He also suggested that Ministers were holding out to give Grape Bay Ltd., run by former Premier Sir John Swan, time to resurrect plans for selling food and drinks at the Airport. "The Transport Minister, Wayne Furbert, has had ample time to realise that the McDonald's issue is dead and if Grape Bay is going to set up an operation he needs to be announcing that now,'' said Mr. Lister.

Grape Bay, run by Sir John and fellow Government backbencher Maxwell Burgess, was recommended last year to run the Airport's food and beverage concessions with a McDonald's.

However the bid was blocked when the Prohibited Restaurant Bill passed -- outlawing fast food franchises -- although Grape Bay could still open other types of restaurants at the Airport.

Officials want to open the new food and drink areas by the end of May but it is feared that unless a decision is made soon the opening could be delayed.

A lease for the concessions has to be laid before Parliament, which will be busy debating the budget next month and if Sir John pulls out the concessions must be retendered.

Mr. Lister added: "One would think that the Minister would want to come to Parliament next month and lay the lease. "If Grape Bay is not going to be the one developing the concessions, the Minister needs to announce that now because it will need to be retendered so other people can submit their ideas.'' He said: "It seems that Government is holding out for Sir John. The decision about McDonald's was made in December and you would have thought it would have been put out for retendering by now.

"We would hope that come February when the House reopens the Minister is prepared to clarify what is happening and have some names on the table.'' Airport officials have written to Sir John Swan asking for a decision on the concessions issue and it is understood a reply should be with the Transport Minister shortly.

It is believed that if a reply is not received soon a deadline will given for a decision.

Sir John was not available for comment.