The Tribune

By Fay Simmons

Tribune Business Editor

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

Seaplane operators are urging Family Island resorts to install ramps to facilitate their operations and increase airlift to remote destinations.

Bridell Cargill-Sweeting, guest services concierge at Coco Bahama Seaplanes, told the Bahamas Out Island Promotions Board’s annual general meeting (AGM) that seaplane operators need the support of Family Island tourism partners through developing the necessary docks that are “easy to install and inexpensive”.

She said: “What we need from you is just to support the Bahamas’ agenda in reference to working with seaplanes and amphibious airlines. As opposed to building more airports, working with an airline that can land anywhere.

“We have the infrastructure to land in the water, which doesn’t require additional investment. We have the same infrastructure as the average marine business. Sea plane docks are easy to install and inexpensive. The footprint is no larger than the marine industry and it’s beneficial to the country’s ecosystem.”

Ms Cargill-Sweeting added that providing such infrastructure can create an opportunity for visitors to New Providence to “island hop” and experience the Family Islands on a day trip or an extended stay with a partnering resort.

She said: “We also provide the opportunity for more revenue to go to the hoteliers in the Out islands. Our guests that are staying in Nassau can go on and island hop, and experience maybe one of the activities you have on the island or take a day trip to your hotel from Baha Mar or Atlantis to stay at your resort for a weekend if they’re on a longer stay.

“So all of these opportunities give us an opportunity to work together so that we can ensure that we’re always providing the best experience for our customers.” Ms Cargill-Sweeting said Coco Bahama Seaplanes has served over 5,000 guests and plans island excursions, boat transfers and hotels, allowing customers to have the ease of travel that many visitors seek.

She added: “We offer guests staying in Nassau the connectivity to explore and have adventure on the Family Islands, and we have served upwards of 5,000 passengers. We plan everything - their boat transfers, we plan hotels sometimes. We can plan experiences on the Family Islands.

“They will come to Odyssey Aviation. We meet them in the lobby with amenities. They have amenities in flight. They fly over the beautiful Bahamian islands, they land on the water, they can pull up to the beach or the seaplane ramp and immediately the vacation starts. No connectivity, no drives, they are able to have the experience of a lifetime.”

Patricia Summerfield, partner development manager at Tropic Ocean Airways, said Family Island hoteliers can assist seaplane providers by installing seaplane docks at new developments or as part of upgrades to existing resorts.

She said: “Just letting people know that we exist, and considering the seaplane docks as part of upgrades and also new construction. So if there’s a new development or additions that are happening, we would always love to be part of that plan to at least have the discussion and the opportunity to talk through that with you and tell you how that works.”

Ms Summerfield added that local communities can also advocate for the Government to assign Customs and Immigration officers so that guests can fly directly and not have to make a stop at an island where facilities are available.

She said: “Of course landing on the water, we don’t have Customs everywhere. We have them in certain locations like Baker’s [Bay] and other areas. But again, coming together with that region and advocating on behalf of the hotels and asking to add Customs in some of those locations to make it a better experience for your customers.”

Ms Summerfield added that seaplanes can land near cays that do not have an existing airport, and if hoteliers collaborate and request the it, seaplane operators will provide the service.

She said: “We’re not restricted to the runways; we can really go anywhere. Abaco Cays or those other places that are hard to reach because there isn’t an airport, and you may have to take a 45-minute boat ride after landing to an airport there.

“So any of those locations we want to hear what you need and we just need people to come together. Obviously it’s hard to launch a scheduled service in an area where you only have, you know, one or two hotels but if there’s a region that needs us, we’re happy to come there.”