The Tribune

A high-end boutique resort's founder yesterday unveiled the February launch of a seaplane service that aims to further unlock Family Island tourism's multi-million dollar potential.

Brian Hew, chairman of Andros-based Kamalame Cay, is also chief executive of newly-formed COCO Bahama Seaplanes, which will take flight next month with a nine-seater plane and two-pilot crew to become what it says is "the first year-round, amphibious airline to debut in The Bahamas in over half a century".

He said in a statement that the service, which aims to transport guests throughout The Bahamas and not just Kamalame Cay, will help improve access to the Family Islands and boost fragile local economies badly in need of a lift due to COVID-19's economic devastation.

"Recovery of the Family Islands will be accelerated with the arrival of COCO and, importantly, without the need for additional direct government investments to expand, rehabilitate or build new airports," Mr Hew said.

“COCO will benefit visitors to our beautiful country, and will help support a more reliable domestic travel infrastructure, allowing residents to move quickly and efficiently throughout The Bahamas and reducing the burden on the Government to fly to small, unprofitable markets with large aircraft."

COCO Bahama Seaplanes added that it aims to expand the range of tourism offerings for domestic and international visitors in both the Nassau and Grand Bahama markets, and was already working aggressively with independent and multinational resorts to spread visitor spending to the Family Islands through day trips and excursions.

The service's unveiling has been met with government support. Dionisio D'Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, said: “I am pleased to welcome a new aircraft option to The Bahamas that will increase access to our islands and allow travellers to experience the secluded paradise they are looking for right now.

"I cannot help but feel proud that in these challenging times a Bahamian company such as COCO Bahama Seaplanes is prepared to invest in the future of tourism in The Bahamas. I sincerely believe that with Bahamian ingenuity and determination, we will once again take our rightful place as the destination of choice for travellers worldwide.”

Tommy Turnquest, Bahamasair's chairman, said: “The arrival of COCO Bahama Seaplanes is another important milestone for the Bahamian airline industry as we look for new ways to expand the services we provide to our residents and guests without additional financial burden on the Bahamian government.”

The seaplane service said it also aims to be a ‘starting point’ for career-minded young Bahamians seeking jobs in aviation. Through a series of local and international training partnerships and scholarships, it ultimately aims to create hundreds of high-quality jobs for Bahamians with career paths including pilots, maintenance, sales, customer service, management and support roles.

It added that it will announce the first recipients of its annual scholarship programme for young 18-30 year-old Bahamian pilots later this month. Successful applicants will receive a cash contribution towards the flight school of their choice and, upon successful completion, will have a contingent offer to join the crew at COCO Bahama Seaplanes.