The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

WESTERN Air is suspending flights to and from North Eleuthera because of worsening runway conditions — just days before thousands of people are expected to travel to Eleuthera for the Harbour Island Homecoming, one of the island's biggest cultural events.

The airline's last scheduled service is on Friday, October 2. The Homecoming runs from October 8 to 12, and guests and business owners are preparing for the annual festival.

Former North Eleuthera MP Rickey Mackey said Southern Air is now the only carrier providing daily flights to North Eleuthera, after Pineapple Air discontinued its service to the island. Southern Air carries a maximum of 15 passengers per flight, he said. Bahamasair flies to the island at least once a week.

"With Western Air now leaving until further notice," Mr Mackey said, "that is going to create major havoc here in North Eleuthera."

He questioned how the limited air service could meet demand from people travelling for the Homecoming. He said the suspension was another blow for an island already struggling with daily water and electricity problems.

Western Air's CEO and president Sherrexcia "Rexy" Rolle confirmed the temporary suspension. She said it was because of current runway conditions at North Eleuthera International Airport.

The runway has reportedly deteriorated over time. However, Ms Rolle said the situation has "escalated", and that passenger and crew safety remains a priority.

"The runway has a lot of uneven surfaces," she told The Tribune yesterday. "As a result, they experience very rough take-offs and landings because the runway is sunken in different places."

Ms Rolle said the decision was not made lightly. She said air traffic to North Eleuthera is projected to increase in October, and she stressed the need for reliable air transport.

She could not say how long the suspension would last, saying it depends on the runway problems being fixed. She said Western Air is working with the authorities to resume flights as soon as possible.

Affected passengers can request refunds by emailing Western Air. Their tickets remain valid for one year.

The Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Aviation said it is aware of Western Air's notice of the temporary suspension.

In a statement, the ministry said project teams at the Ministry of Works, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and other key stakeholders are addressing the ongoing concerns. These teams oversee the mobilisation and completion of critical airside works.

The ministry said the Ministry of Works is exploring urgent remediation measures to prevent further disruption to air services into North Eleuthera. It said the work will prioritise airport users' safety while continuing the comprehensive aerodrome development.

The suspension has also raised concerns about the economic impact on North Eleuthera. Tourists and Bahamians regularly travel to the area for events such as the Homecoming.

Javaughn Rolle, chairman of the North for the Harbour Island Commonage Committee and former chairman of the North Eleuthera Regatta Association, said the community was taken aback by the decision. However, he said residents understand the importance of repairing the runway, as they have also wanted improvements to the airport.

The festival is expected to feature 15 to 20 vendors. Mr Rolle said most vendors knew ahead of time that this year's celebrations could face challenges. He said those who did not know were now looking at ways to recover some of the money they had invested.

He said North Eleuthera's regattas should return to their cultural roots while modernising their business structure. He said the island needs infrastructure development to meet the demands of its growing economy.