The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net SANDALS has been in discussions with Bahamasair over the airline adjusting its flight schedule into Exuma to facilitate more arrivals, a move which could translate into millions of additional dollars for the Exuma economy, according to the resort chain's chairman. Speaking at the opening of Sandals Royal Bahamian's Balmoral Tower yesterday, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart said: "We want more airlift. We have got Delta flying out of Atlanta, Air Canada out of Toronto and American Airlines flies their small jet every day, but we need more. "We made a proposal to Bahamasair because there are about 20 different airlines that are coming in the middle of the day. If Bahamasair can move their schedules to fit the band of flights that are coming in, by doing that we can get more people, because in places like Exuma there are too few times that we can sell from New York to Nassau through to Exuma and make the connection. Bahamasair was very receptive and I expect to have positive results." Mr Stewart added: "Bahamasair flies to Exuma already. What is nice is that they are willing to listen to other needs of the Exumas. Not having all the air links going into the Exumas, the good thing to do is to align the departures and arrivals out of Nassau to coincide with the banks. That sort of mid-day bank starts at 10.30 am and 1pm. You get yourself open to about 20 or more big jet airplanes during that period, so they would buy a ticket to Nassau through to Exuma. "That could translate into several millions of dollars for the Exumas and all of us."