The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Bahamasair last Wednesday launched its inaugural service between Fort Lauderdale and Georgetown, Exuma, with around 50 passengers on the flight.

The new route, which will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays, is designed to enhances accessibility and convenience for Bahamian residents and travellers seeking direct access to Exuma. The airline, in a statement, said Bahamians will be better able to explore mainland Florida, while tourists will have direct access to Exuma without the need for a stopover in Nassau.

Tracy Cooper, Bahamasair’s managing director, speaking at the flight’s launch, said: “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. Next year, we are looking to acquire more airplanes, leading to increased rotations and even more accessibility.”

An ATR aircraft will travel between the Georgetown International Airport and Terminal One at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, with an estimated flight time of around 90 minutes.

Lamar Fisher, Broward County Mayor, emphasised 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 fifth largest international market for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

“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.”

Dr Kenneth Romer, deputy director-general and director of aviation at the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, said the launch of Bahamasair’s new route was occurring as the country received around 7.9m visitors in the first nine months of 2023.

“This milestone is particularly noteworthy because, despite the ongoing efforts of our long-standing 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.”

Dr Romer added that the Georgetown to Fort Lauderdale route not only adds value to the airline’s route network but is also valuable to Exuma’s economy.

“This inaugural flight 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.”

Over the past 26 years, Bahamasair has provided transportation to Fort Lauderdale. During that period, the airline has conducted more than 65,000 flights and transported more than four million passengers. With Georgetown, Exuma, added to its schedule, the airline now offers seven daily flights to Fort Lauderdale to and from other Bahamian Family Islands, Nassau and Freeport.