News & Notes

The Hon. I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, emphasised the significance of of the new nonstop service, hailing the new flight as a testament of the strong partnership with industry leaders and the growing appetite for The Bahamas Out Islands.

The new route is the sixth Bahamas-based destination that the U.S airline currently services. The other routes are: North Eleuthera; Nassau, New Providence; Freeport, Grand Bahama; George Town, Exuma, and Marsh Harbour, Abaco.

“This new airlift, just one month into 2024, underscores a holistic approach and unwavering commitment of the Ministry to aggressively expand airlift into our 16 island destinations,” Cooper said.

“We continue to offer a diverse authentic experience to travellers, in partnership with our industry partners and airlines such as American Airlines. We look forward to fostering continued partnerships and providing a uniquely memorable Bahamas experience to travellers with this new American Airlines route.

Governor’s Harbour Airport recently underwent expansions and upgrades to the Departures and Arrivals Terminals, along with improvements to the fire station. This infrastructural improvement aligns with the government’s commitment to upgrading island airports under the Family Islands Renaissance Initiative, as outlined in The National Aviation Strategic Plan.

“We are excited to celebrate the launch of our sixth destination in The Bahamas, Governor’s Harbour, further strengthening our commitment to this unspoiled paradise. This new route marks our next step as we continue to expand American’s presence in the Caribbean and Atlantic, where we are proud to lead as the largest U.S. airline,” said José María Giraldo, American Airlines Managing Director of Operations for Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.

“With this new destination, we will now be offering up to 30 peak-day flights to The Bahamas, playing a vital role in the country’s travel and tourism industry.”

The inaugural flight was marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony in both Miami and Governor’s Harbour. The event was attended by top government officials and executives of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments &Aviation including the Hon. Clay Sweeting, Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs, and Dr. Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director General, MOTIA. During the ceremony, American Airlines executives were presented with a special ceremonial gift to mark the longstanding relationship with The Islands of The Bahamas.

The direct service will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays from Miami to Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera. Travellers can learn about the new route and the destination by visiting aa.com or bahamas.com for more information.

Amidst a gathering of key industry professionals, government officials, and aviation enthusiasts, the stage was set for an ambitious roadmap that aims to propel the Bahamas' aviation infrastructure into a new era of efficiency, safety, and growth.

Central to the discussion was the unveiling of the 2024 Vision Card, which serves as a comprehensive blueprint detailing this year’s strategic initiatives, development plans, and status update on active developments. Crafted with meticulous detail, the Vision Card outlines a series of targeted objectives and actionable steps designed to enhance various facets of the aviation sector.

One of the highlights of the 2024 Vision Card is its focus on infrastructure development. Recognizing the critical role that modern infrastructure plays in facilitating seamless air travel, the Bahamas Department of Aviation has outlined plans for significant investments in airport upgrades, air traffic management systems, and terminal expansions. These enhancements aim to not only accommodate the growing demand for air travel but also to elevate the overall passenger experience.

Furthermore, the 2024 Vision Card places a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship. In line with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the environmental impact of aviation, the Bahamas Department of Aviation is committed to implementing eco-friendly practices and exploring innovative solutions to promote greener skies.

During the stakeholders’ meeting, participants engage in fruitful discussions, providing valuable insights and feedback on the proposed initiatives. This collaborative approach underscores the importance of partnership and collective effort in driving meaningful change within the aviation industry.

As the Bahamas continues to position itself as a premier aviation hub in the Caribbean region, the unveiling of the 2024 Vision Card marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards sustainable growth and development. By harnessing the power of strategic planning, innovation, and collaboration, the Bahamas Department of Aviation is poised to chart a course towards a brighter future for aviation in the islands.

The inaugural flight carried approximately 50 passengers. The new service, which will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays, allows Bahamian locals to explore mainland Florida, while at the same time, providing travelers direct access to Exuma without the need for a stopover in Nassau.

During a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL), Tracy Cooper, Managing Director of Bahamasair, was delighted with the new service. He highlighted that the decision to add the flight to the Airline’s roster was a direct response to the public's demand. He added that the move signified Bahamasair's commitment to delivering a quality product.

"Today, we are thrilled to inaugurate our first flight between Georgetown and Fort Lauderdale, marking a significant milestone in expanding our reach and enhancing connectivity," Mr. Cooper said. "Next year, we are looking to acquire more airplanes, leading to increased rotations and even more accessibility."

For the route, ATR aircraft will travel between the Georgetown International Airport and Terminal 1 at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, with an estimated flight time of approximately 90 minutes.

Lamar Fisher, Broward County Mayor, emphasized the significant impact of Bahamasair not only on the airport, but also on the county. The mayor pointed out that The Bahamas currently ranks as the 5th largest international market for FLL. He highlighted the strong cultural, historical, and business ties between South Florida and The Bahamas, expressing optimism that the new route to Georgetown would strengthen the connections.

"We welcome the Georgetown route,” said Mayor Fisher “We look forward to the tourism, business and trade benefits to come, connecting Broward County to another island in The Bahamas.”

Highlighting the significance of this milestone, Dr. Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director General and Director of Aviation at The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, characterized the launch as historic. He conveyed his enthusiasm as The Bahamas reached another major achievement, having welcomed approximately 7.9 million visitors in the first nine months of 2023.

Dr. Romer underscored the government's strategic vision to boost overall arrival numbers.

"This milestone is particularly noteworthy because, despite the ongoing efforts of our longstanding partner airlines to bring people to The Islands of The Bahamas, I am delighted that our national airline, Bahamasair, has left its mark and etched history,” he said. "We are highly pleased with Bahamasair's initiatives; they consistently make us proud. Their exploration of new routes has our full government support."

According to Dr. Romer, the new route not only adds value to the airline’s route network but is also valuable to Exuma’s economy. "This inaugural has significant economic value and benefit because each person who comes into Exuma on a plane contributes 28 times more than a cruise arrival," said Dr. Romer. "So, when we look at Bahamasair adding additional seat capacity to Exuma, that translates in a tangible way to heads in beds and money into the economy of Exuma."

Georgetown, Exuma serves as the gateway to an unparalleled Bahamian experience, with access to pristine beaches, ranked among the world's best. Exuma is also home to the world-famous swimming pigs. Exuma and its neighboring island to the South - Long Island - will both benefit from the new route. Over the past 26 years, Bahamasair has provided transportation to FLL. During that period, the Airline has conducted over 65,000 flights and transported more than 4 million passengers.

With Georgetown, Exuma added to its schedule, the Airline now offers seven (7) daily flights to Fort Lauderdale to and from other Bahamian Family Islands: Nassau and Freeport, Grand Bahama.

“As we have seen today, this direct link between coasts will open doors for countless travellers to experience the beauty, warmth and rich heritage of our country without the hassle of multiple connections,” said the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. “We are thrilled to continue welcoming passengers on the new JetBlue service, ensuring their arrival to our shores is nothing short of extraordinary.”

The first JetBlue flight #2710 from Los Angeles arrived today at Lynden Pindling International Airport where passengers were greeted and embraced in true Bahamian style, with a spirited and traditional Bahamian Junkanoo welcome, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience in The Bahamas.

“We are excited to introduce a new option to connect our customers in Los Angeles to the destinations they want to fly,” said Erik Hildebrandt, Director, Domestic Cities, JetBlue. “This new service to Nassau will bring more great service and everyday low fares to more customers, will expand our network and international presence in the Caribbean and open a direct option to Nassau, a world class and popular destination.”

Travellers arriving in Nassau and Paradise Island are welcomed with numerous luxury resorts, diverse dining, shopping, a vibrant nightlife and endless authentic Bahamian culture – from art exhibits to historical landmarks. The bustling capital also serves as the launch pad and gateway to unlock the splendour of all 16 unique islands in The Bahamas.

“We are thrilled that it is now easier than ever for those in Los Angeles to reach Nassau and Paradise Island to experience all that these two islands have to offer,” said Joy Jibrilu, CEO, Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board. “From outstanding accommodations and beautiful beaches to delicious dining and authentic cultural experiences, Nassau and Paradise Island are full of Bahamian spirit, and we look forward to welcoming those from the West Coast with JetBlue’s new direct service.”

JetBlue, known for its low fares and great service, features the most legroom in coach (a); fast, free and unlimited high-speed Fly-Fi (b); complimentary name-brand snacks and drinks; and seatback entertainment at every seat. The new route will also offer customers JetBlue’s awardwinning Mint premium experience, featuring its lie-flat seats, innovative design touches and a restaurant-style small plate dining concept from Delicious Hospitality Group (DHG).

The direct flights will operate once weekly, departing both Los Angeles and Nassau on Saturdays at 7 a.m. and 4:42 p.m., respectively. Travellers can learn about the new service and the destination by visiting JetBlue.com, Bahamas.com and NassauParadiseIsland.com. 

The Hon. I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, said: “I am pleased to see the launch of the first-ever Bahamas Aviation Week. As an archipelagic nation, aviation plays an integral role in social connectivity and stimulating the economy for local communities.

Added DPM Cooper, “I wish to express my gratitude to the aviation leaders for their efforts, commitment, focus, drive and synergy. We will continue to execute the mandate of our National Aviation Strategic Plan, as we aim to be a global trailblazer in aviation excellence.

Aviation Week will begin with Bahamasair leading a delegation at the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) Conference in Cancún, Mexico, on Sunday, Oct. 22, followed by a week of activities during which respective agencies in the sector will showcase their recent achievements and reveal goals for the future.

Dr. Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation said, “This historic Aviation Week and the plethora of activities further solidify a shared commitment to the strategic transformation of our aviation ecosystem that will position our destination as the regional exemplar of aviation excellence”.

Coming out of Aviation Week is a slew of exciting news of new and returning airlift, featuring prominent airlines such as Bahamasair, Air Canada, Air Carïbes, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Neos Alpitour, Sunwing, JetBlue, Silver Airways and Western Air. Also, new airlift scheduled for November 2023 to January 2024 will showcase an expanded network of connections. The reintroduction of vertical airlift (helicopter) with Flex Jet and the expansion of Amphibious Airlift (Sea planes) adds a dynamic dimension to The Bahamas' aviation landscape.

Aviation enthusiasts are invited to join the conversation on social media using #BahamasAviationWeek.