The Tribune

BY NEIL HARTNELL

TRIBUNE Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

RESORTS have hailed Western Air’s return to North Eleuthera as “very much a hallelujah” moment but warned that The Bahamas “cannot continue to promote world class tourism” without tackling “infrastructure vulnerabilities”.

Ben Simmons, proprietor of the Little Island Hotels group, which includes the Ocean View and The Other Side properties on Harbour Island, plus the Farm on mainland Eleuthera, told Tribune Business in a recent interview that the carrier’s November 2 resumption of domestic flights to the popular tourism destination had “removed uncertainty for guests”.

With resorts re-opening for the winter tourism season, and his properties set to host weddings almost immediately, he added that visitors had been receiving “contradictory information” as to whether flights were still available or had been cancelled at a time when North Eleuthera needed to “be putting our best foot forward”.

Western Air suspended flights into North Eleuthera for the entire month of October, citing an unsafe runway that was urgently in need of repairs. With the safety concerns now addressed, and the runway woes solved, Mr Simmons told this newspaper that the fix was “long overdue” and called for “a consistent maintenance” plan to be implemented.

His concerns were echoed by Carlton Russell, the 22-year Atlantis executive veteran and former Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) president who oversaw The Cove Eleuthera’s $64m upgrade. He added that airlift represents “an economic lifeline for our Family Islands, and we cannot afford to take it for granted”.

Mr Russell, a realtor and Eleuthera resident, said Western Air’s suspension came “at a particularly unfortunate time”, given that Governor’s Harbour airport was also closed for all of October for runway and infrastructure upgrades, with the result that additional strain was imposed “on already limited domestic airlift capacity”.

He joined Mr Simmons in urging The Bahamas to move beyond a “reactive” approach to maintaining critical tourism-related infrastructure, adding that assets such as airports are vital to the destination’s competitiveness and any disruption to key airlift links threatens to undermine investor confidence and the guest experience.

Mr Simmons, meanwhile, said the reaction to Western Air restarting North Eleuthera service was “very much a hallelujah”. He added: “We were getting contradictory information that these flights were going to be cancelled, then no, they were going ahead. It’s removing that uncertainty as a whole as a destination.

“We want to be putting our best foot forward as a destination, and removing the uncertainty for guests is a huge part of that. Not knowing if a flight is going to happen, when it’s going to happen, has been a nightmare for our concierge team. Now we know that flights resumed from November 2, it just makes it a bit easier for our team.

“Our first wedding is November 6, and we’ve had guests inquiring, transiting through Nassau to get here, and they were getting contradictory information from the airline on what was available, what was not, and when they were starting back up. They were being told, no, they were closed and no flights available, then they were,” Mr Simmons added.

“It was creating uncertainty. Now it’s all good. We’re very relieved. It was holding us back. Western Air has been a huge factor in giving a sense of reliability to access the destination.”

Mr Simmons explained that, during Western Air’s temporary absence, there was insufficient airlift and seat capacity into North Eleuthera to meet demand with the likes of Southern Air and Executive Air operating smaller planes. “For local transportation it’s been a nightmare, and then you don’t have the option because Governor’s Harbour has been closed as well,” he added.

“It’s been hard to get in and out of our little island. It [Western Air] essentially doubles, if not triples, our seat capacity. They were going daily, and twice a day on Sunday and Friday, I believe. For the local population and myself included, it’s a big relief to know they are going again. Huge.”

The Little Island Hotels group chief, though, said concerns about the condition of North Eleuthera Airport’s runway and associated safety factors were not new. He added that it will now be “super important” to ensure its upgrades are maintained and there are no further disruptions to airline service.

“There’s been an historic concern that the runway has not been maintained,” Mr Simmons told Tribune Business. “There’s been a concern for a while. It [the repairs] has been overdue, and hopefully a consistent maintenance plan is put in place so it doesn’t happen again. We don’t want this happening again in the middle of the season. We have just opened up.”

Mr Russell hailed Western Air’s return as “much-needed relief for residents, businesses and the tourism industry as we approach the important winter season”.

However, he added: “While we should celebrate the restoration of this essential service, the disruption also serves as a reminder that reliable air transportation is not simply a convenience. It is an economic lifeline for our Family Islands, and we cannot afford to take it for granted.

“Western Air's suspension on October 2, resulting from deteriorating runway conditions, came at a particularly unfortunate time. The interruption coincided with the temporary closure of Governor's Harbour airport during October, placing additional pressure on Eleuthera's already-limited domestic airlift capacity.

“For an island whose economy depends heavily on tourism, real estate, construction, and inter-island commerce, the simultaneous disruption of two important transportation gateways created significant challenges.”

The former BHTA president added that North Eleuthera is the key gateway for Harbour Island, Spanish Wells and the rest of that region. “The suspension reduced available domestic airlift, limited travel flexibility and created uncertainty for visitors and businesses,” he said.

“For tourism operators, reliable air access is fundamental to the visitor experience. Guests expect convenient connections, predictable schedules and confidence that their travel arrangements will be honoured. When those expectations are compromised, the consequences extend beyond the airline.

“Hotels face potential cancellations or delayed arrivals. Restaurants, taxi operators, water transportation providers, retailers and other small businesses risk losing revenue.”

Mr Russell, though, said Western Air’s return has come ahead of the peak winter tourism season. “The timing provides an opportunity to restore confidence, protect forward bookings and reassure visitors that Eleuthera remains accessible and ready to welcome them,” he added.

“We must also recognise that domestic aviation serves a much broader purpose than transporting tourists. For Eleuthera residents, dependable flights provide essential connections to Nassau for medical appointments, education, family obligations, business activities and access to professional services.

Local entrepreneurs depend on these connections to conduct business, receive supplies, and maintain relationships with customers and suppliers. When air services are interrupted, travel becomes more complicated, expensive, and time-consuming. These challenges are particularly significant for small businesses and families operating within already constrained budgets.”

Calling for more proactive and preventative runway maintenance, Mr Russell added: “The reported deterioration at North Eleuthera, including uneven runway surfaces and potholes, raises legitimate questions about inspection frequency, maintenance planning and the timely allocation of resources.

“The immediate repairs are necessary, but they must not become another temporary solution to a long-standing problem. Government has outlined plans for permanent airside improvements, including a new runway and apron facilities. These investments must now be advanced with clear timelines, transparent accountability and appropriate funding.”

Reiterating that The Bahamas’ infrastructure must keep pace with economic growth, Mr Russell said: “Our competitiveness depends not only on beautiful beaches, exceptional hospitality and authentic island experiences, but also on reliable airports, utilities, roads and essential public services.

“Every interruption to air connectivity carries potential consequences for investor confidence, visitor satisfaction and economic opportunity. Western Air's return is therefore more than the restoration of an airline route. It represents the re-opening of an important economic connection between Eleuthera and the wider Bahamas.

“We should acknowledge Western Air's commitment to passenger safety and welcome its decision to resume service. But the greater lesson is clear: We cannot continue to promote world class tourism while accepting infrastructure vulnerabilities that threaten our ability to deliver it.”