The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMASAIR executives were yesterday optimistic over the viability of the carrier's new service into Grand Bahama, its general manager telling Tribune Business that the numbers have improved over the past few weeks.

Bahamasair took over Vision Airlines' flights from Raleigh/Durham, Baltimore, Louisville and Richmond last month, after the latter's programme had not performed up to expectations.

While not revealing load factors and bookings, general manager Henry Woods told Tribune Business that "everything is running relatively smooth".

He said: "We at this point are still somewhat optimistic about the viability of it. Right now it's too early to give a full overview. The numbers have improved over the past few weeks and we are hoping that they will improve some more."

He added: "We have a full meeting on Monday to discuss it. It's really a Ministry of Tourism driven project; it's not a Bahamasair brainchild. We are supporting them with the actual transportation, but the whole project is being promoted and driven by the Ministry of Tourism."

Mr Woods explained in an earlier interview that Bahamasair expects to fully take over servicing Vision Airlines' Grand Bahama routes in December 2012 as part of a two-phased arrangement. The first phase is a wet lease arrangement, whereby the operation will commence as Bahamasair with another operator's aircraft and crew, while Bahamasair takes on the distribution, selling and the customer service.

Vision Airlines began flights to Grand Bahama last November 11, providing direct non-stop service from five US cities. Its competitive low fares were expected to bring an additional 100,000 seats annually to Grand Bahama in its first phase of operations.

The carrier did not perform up to expectations, however, with tourism executives telling Tribune Business that the airline's service to Grand Bahama was operating at about 30 per cent load factors - far below the 65 per cent expectation.