The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Sky Bahamas yesterday said the loss of the aircraft involved in last week’s Abaco accident would cause it to delay planned expansion to north and south Andros by one month.

Captain Randy Butler, the airline’s president and chief executive, said the airplane’s loss meant it would be “less aggressive” when it came to some planned route expansions, which also include Bimini and Long Island.

Disclosing that last week’s accident had not caused Sky Bahamas to lose business “in a big way”, Captain Butler acknowledged that rivals were jumping on the situation in a bid to obtain a competitive advantage.

As for the ‘leaking’ of three Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports, dating from 10-12 months ago, and detailing alleged safety and maintenance faults discovered during inspections of various Sky Bahamas’ planes in the US, Captain Butler said all three aircraft - and the airline as a whole - were still flying the same routes.

Adding that Sky Bahamas always addressed any FAA or maintenance/safety-related issues immediately, Captain Butler said the airline would use the Abaco accident to “make us better”.

As for the impact on its expansion plans, Captain Butler told Tribune Business: “Having lost one airplane, it’s going to impact things. It’s not going to be as aggressive.

“We were launching to Bimini and two flights to Long Island, and were going into North and South Andros. Bimini will be starting on the 25th [of June], and we’re going to continue with that.”

While the North and South Andros plans will be delayed “probably by a month”, Captain Butler added: “It’s [the accident] come at a time when we’re expanding and doing some other things. At Sky Bahamas we’re poised to move.”

Emphasising that the Abaco accident was “exactly that”, Captain Butler added: “I think it’s an opportunity to make us better.

“I’m more resolved than ever to put out a good product. The competition has taken the opportunity to put it out there, make it much worse than it is.”

Responding to the FAA letters on its safety and maintenance findings, Captain Butler said any concerns raised by US and Bahamian aviation regulators were always resolved to the latter’s satisfaction.

“Sky Bahamas will resolve any issues that come up, and we are proud of our record,” he told Tribune Business. “Folks know the standards Sky Bahamas has set for itself, and we strive for excellence.”

Pointing out that aircraft maintenance and pilot training were priority areas for Sky Bahamas, Captain Butler said the Abaco accident to-date had not impacted business “in a big way”.

“We’ve had calls and touches on Facebook where people have asked questions,” he added. “We’ve had a number of good, encouraging calls, even from folks on that plane who thought the pilots did the best thing, and were happy all walked away.”