The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A TOP American Airlines executive says the carrier has been "impressed" by the growth on its six routes between the Bahamas and the United States, with its 130 weekly flights exceeding most Caribbean locations.

Jim Butler, the carrier's senior vice-president of international and cargo, speaking at a reception to celebrate the airline's 30-year history in the Bahamas, said: "We have been very pleased with how things are working here. With over 130 flights weekly to six different destinations, we have been impressed with the growth that has happened here and we are always looking at other opportunities.

"We have been very pleased with how the flights are doing. The partnership we have with the islands, the Minister of Tourism and others really give us a good feeling about the future opportunities. People want to come and see the fantastic new properties here in the islands, and we have dedicated an incredible amount of service to Nassau and the Bahamas in general."s4

America Airlines currently offers service to Nassau, Freeport, Marsh Harbour, Eleuthera, Exuma and San Salvador. "The partnership we have here is critical to our ability to service the islands and continue to develop partnerships, so that as tourism grows we can be the first to increase service," Mr Butler added.

"One hundred and thirty flights is significantly more than we have to most of the Caribbean. It's a service that surpasses most locations with perhaps the exception of San Juan. There is no place in the Caribbean that we offer more service than the Bahamas."