The Tribune

American Airlines has added five new flights with 453 total seats to its Bahamas routes, increasing the number of non-stop and connecting flights from three major US cities.

Beginning in December 2018, the new flights will offer more options and improved connectivity to Nassau, Grand Bahama, North Eleuthera and Abaco for visitors travelling from the Chicago, Miami and Charlotte gateways.

Non-stop flights from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago to Lynden Pindling International Airport will begin on December 22, operated by a B737-800 aircraft. The new service will add 160 seats per week from the major Midwest hub.

Seasonal flights from Miami International Airport to Freeport, Grand Bahama, will launch on December 18, 2018, operated by the E175, a 76-seat aircraft. The two morning departures will transport Miami-area travellers in less than one hour, with the first flight departing Miami at 9.02am and arriving in Freeport at 9.50am, and the second departing at 10.32am and arriving at 11.20am. Both weekly flights add 152 seats to Freeport, bringing valuable support to the island.

The airline will also launch year-round service from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in North Carolina to two destinations in The Bahamas. Saturday service into North Eleuthera Airport will begin on December 22, 2018, adding 65 seats on the CRJ aircraft. A second Saturday-only service will introduce 76 new seats into Marsh Harbour Airport, operated by the E175 aircraft. The weekly flights will bring a total of 141 new seats to The Bahamas.

Dionisio D'Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, said the new flights will help fill increased room inventory created by new hotel developments throughout The Bahamas.

"The addition of several new flight options from American Airlines is welcomed news for the local tourism industry," said Mr D'Aguilar. "As our room inventory increases, we are eager to meet that demand with more seats bringing travellers to our islands. The benefits will be felt especially during our winter months when tourists from cold areas are looking for a warm, sunny vacation."

The new air service will further boost an encouraging trend in air arrivals to The Bahamas, as recently reported by the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD). Arrivals have reached the highest level in 11 years, exceeding even pre-recession numbers.

More than 150,000 visitors landed at LPIA in December 2017, and preliminary results for March 2018 are even more impressive - up by 24 per cent over 2017 arrivals.

Travelers can book flights beginning on May 14, 2018, via American Airlines' website.