The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

SNOW storms impacting major US gateways to the Bahamas have resulted in an “unprecedented” number of flight cancellations, according to Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) executives.

Nassau/Paradise Island resort operators also told Tribune Business their operations have been impacted by numerous visitor cancellations and reschedules.

Patrick Drake, general manager at Sandals Royal Bahamian, told Tribune Business: “There have been disruptions. We have a few guests that cannot get out because obviously places like Carolina, New York and Atlanta....... They are big gateways for us.

“You have folks not getting out two to three days, and it’s very disruptive not knowing when the people are coming in. If you don’t see a guest today it doesn’t mean that he isn’t coming; he might very well come tomorrow, if he hasn’t cancelled. There are quite a few people here that are having difficulty getting out and some could be here another couple of days.”

George Markantonis, Brookfield Hospitality’s president and managing director, told Tribune Business: “We have experienced about 50 cancellations and revisions combined, which is really quite negligible so far. The ongoing cancellations of flights from Atlanta is naturally causing a lot of inconvenience for our [Atlantis] guests.”

Relentless snow storms that have hit the US east coast and the south have reportedly forced the highest number of flight cancellations in the US in nearly three decades.

Vernice Walkine, NAD’s chief executive, told Tribune Business: “This winter season thus far has resulted in far more cancellations than we have ever experienced, and the winter is not yet done.

“We have lost revenue from aeronautical fees due to cancellations, and continue to pay close attention to the impacts of protracted winter storms on our core markets of New York, New Jersey, Washington, Philadelphia, Toronto and, more recently, Atlanta and Charlotte.”

Ms Walkine added: “Given that we are approaching the Valentine’s Day/Presidents Day weekend, it is most unfortunate that the weather has forced several cancellations.

“We will not be able to quantify the total impact on revenue until we have re-established a normal pattern, but this is unprecedented. Our hotels are clearly feeling the impacts due to guests’ inability to keep reservations, although this might be somewhat mitigated by the extended stay for many who have not been able to depart the country due to cancelled flights.”