The Lynden Pindling International Airport. (File photo)
By MORGAN ADDERLEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
madderley@tribunemedia.net
MULTIPLE Bahamasair flights servicing Florida airports on Thursday were cancelled or delayed due to a “massive weather disturbance” and power failure, the airline confirmed Friday.
Tensions ran high in Florida airports according to passengers, some of whom also took to social media to voice their frustration at delays of over 12 hours.
“(Flight) schedule for 4:40pm, finally in Nassau at 5am,” one passenger posted on Facebook yesterday.
A tourist, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Tribune yesterday that people were “screaming and arguing” in the Miami airport Thursday night.
It was a poor start to this guest’s first trip to the Bahamas, who said the entire ordeal was worsened by the lack of communication provided by the airline.
He explained that for hours, passengers were given no updates as to when they would be travelling, and simply told that their status was “on hold”.
Bahamasair confirmed the incident in a statement released Friday by managing director Tracy Cooper.
“Due to the movement of a massive weather disturbance that moved into the South Florida area yesterday (Thursday) during the afternoon hours all three of the major airports we service; Miami, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale International were all forced to close for several hours,” the statement explained.
“This situation was further complicated by a power failure, which impacted the navigational system at Lynden Pindling International which created an additional traffic backlog and ultimately forced several international and domestic cancellations.
“As a result of these two major events we are now performing schedule recovery flights and accommodating those impacted by yesterday’s challenges.”
The airlines proceeded to offer apologies for the ordeal.
“Bahamasair wishes to apologize to the travelling public for any inconvenience caused and know that we will do everything possible to ensure that everyone arrives at their final destinations as soon as is practicable.
“We wish to ask the public for its continued patience as we seek to accommodate those impacted from yesterday and seek to move those scheduled for flights today.
“For those persons scheduled to travel on Bahamasair today, we ask that you contact our Customer Care Unit at 702-4121, 702-4141 and 702-4124 to secure the most up to date flight information.
On Facebook, users continued to vent about the incident.
“They bin coming in hours late from last week.. wasn't no bad weather then.. this just the busy season and they fullah s*, so this is the end result,” a user wrote.
“Bahamasair flights are delayed regardless of weather so anyone travelling on the airline should be accustomed to waiting for a minimum of 3 hours,” another posted.
However, a number of people used social media to defend the airline.
“The weather was terrible. Wind, rain, lightning storms. I applaud them. Y’all chill, passengers safety was definitely top priority in this choice,” one user said.
“Well I'm home,” another passenger posted. “Was on the 9:30am from (Ft Lauderdale) Fl. which left at 10:30 but it brought me back home safe and sound, my luggage didn't come but that's ok. We had a little turbulence but we was good!!”
Comments
rawbahamian 6 years ago
The airport here in Nassau was affected by power outages !!! How is it the airport here servicing international flights DOES NOT have back up generators etc !!! I guess this country is doomed to be a "Turd World Country" forever if the politicians have any say in it but the clowns running the airport are looking for legal ways to charge travelers for breathing in that facility !!!
Dawes 6 years ago
were the other airlines affected or just Bahamasair?
Flyer 5 years, 12 months ago
The other airlines had minor delays, but they were professional enough to have a supervisor and pilot come on the PA system and tell their passengers. They managed to get their flights out. BA Gate Agents were too busy talking on their cell phones and laughing........Poor treatment of passengers....Fly JetBlue!!!!
John 6 years ago
I think Bahamasair does take some unfair beating sometimes. According to Florida news three airports Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach we’re closed for several hours because of bad weather, as well as New Providence and Freeport. So all flights arriving or departing these airports are several hours late, not just Bahamasair. And today several hundred flights in the North East USA will be either delayed or cancelled due to snow, high winds and rain. And because Bahamasair only has a small fleet of aircraft it takes them awhile to get back on schedule once their flights are interrupted .
sheeprunner12 6 years ago
This holiday debacle proves that the domestic charter providers (Western, Southern, Sky etc.) need to step up and take over the Out Island routes and free up Bahamasair to bring tourists to the country ...... Bahamasair cannot provide reliable cost-effective Out Island service anymore ......... they are canceling and missing whole days to some islands thus causing increased need for vouchers and travelers' inconvenience & costs.
The Government will do better with an airlift subsidy system to private carriers ........ like the mailboats.
Dawes 6 years ago
Fully agree. Government should make sure the family islands have reliable flights from a private company at reasonable prices and then focus Bahamasair on bringing in tourists. If its going to make a loss at least provide a reason for the loss.
John 6 years ago
Remember Tennyson Wells tried to block the smaller companies from getting licensed and operating. Many family islands rely heavily on them today. And despite the challenges many of them are reliable and growing.Some now offer state of the art jet service. It is true that Bahamasair needs to focus more on international routes and building its fleet. But if it was to abandon the Family Islands completely airfare to some islands would skyrocket because some routes are not profitable and since the national flag carrier is subsidized it has to make those runs. Not the time may come when government may have to subsidize smaller airlines to do these routes or Bahamasair can subcontract them out.
truetruebahamian 6 years ago
Fat ugly Bahamians predisposed to stamping their feet and feeling entitled to any and everything just need to be slapped and put in place. They need to listen and understand a situation rather than shouting and running their ugly mouths and showing their lack of education and empathy
Bonefishpete 6 years ago
Just think when Bahamas takes control of it's own airspace All airlines from Miami to Puerto Rico will enjoy the shutdown when the power goes out at Nassau Air Traffic Control.
stoner 6 years ago
Travellers should be fully aware that when a flight is cancelled due to bad weather or when a weather warning is issued, the report/decision is for the benefit of the airline crew and its passengers.I hear too much complaining when a flight is delayed due to weather.Get over it and wait.The life of the passengers and crew are at stake and dangerous to fly.I have seen too many accidents when planes takeoff and never make their final destination.
sheeprunner12 5 years, 12 months ago
Bahamians want everything perfect like what they see on TV ....... SMT
But our country is not a perfect place ....... despite the Paradise moniker.
If there are delays and cancellations in America ........ expect it here.
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