The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

WESTERN Air's chief executive yesterday said the airline was "holding back" on plans to move into the saturated Florida aviation market, telling Tribune Business the carrier was operating at 78 per cent load factors domestically.

Rex Rolle said: "Looking at the domestic market, I think we have seen some improvement in the market. This is a seasonal business. We are doing fairly better than in the other years as it relates to the low season, which is January, February and March. I think over all there is improvement."

He added that he was now anticipating moving into the peak season, highlighted by several Family Island regattas. Mr Rolle said: "Our peak season normally lasts from April until the end of August, and generally during those months business will be higher. December is also a busy period."

Currently, Western Air offers several daily services between Nassau, Andros, Grand Bahama, Bimini, Marsh Harbour and Exuma. Mr Rolle said load factors overall were around 78 per cent.

He added, though, that the airline was holding back on plans to expand into the Florida market because it was too saturated.

Mr Rolle said: "I think definitely we have to hold back because that market is saturated, and it's saturated with carriers that are giving people a lot of incentives to travel.

"Some of them are getting subsidies. I just don't think it would be feasible at this time to do that. I think the domestic market is OK; I guess you can hold your own in the domestic market."

Mr Rolle said that while construction on the airline's new $4 million terminal and maintenance facility in Freeport was complete, the lack of utilities had proven a to be a setback to their operations.

According to Mr Rolle, the move to the new headquarters will significantly cut yearly maintenance spend. Western Air's headquarters and main maintenance is currently based in San Andros.

Mr Rolle said: "It's actually completed, but there are no utilities in that area. We are having to go in and put our own pump system in so that we have an adequate supply of water to run our emergency fire sprinkler system."