Bahamasair is set to present a draft plan for a direct flight from California to Nassau "shortly", according to the airline's managing director.
Speaking at the opening of the Latin America and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) Airline Leaders Forum, Bahamasair Managing Director Henry Woods said that the airline is working with Baha Mar to tap into the growing Asian market.
"There is an opportunity for 48,000 Asian visitors, and there has never been a direct service from California. California is obviously the gateway between Asia and this region. We would like to pioneer that, but we would need the support of many agencies to be able to do that.
"We have a draft plan for that to present to [our] shareholders very shortly, hoping that consideration will be given to destinations like Los Angeles and Vancouver, Canada direct to Nassau.
"We have spoken with Baha Mar executives but have yet to put a proposal to the government for Bahamasair to provide that airlift to Baha Mar," said Woods.
While this route is still a ways off, Woods stated the airline needs to expand beyond the Northeastern United States in the short term.
"We're considering international route expansion. Right now, we've got Florida locked down and we are looking at better opportunities. The Northeastern United States is saturated with traffic; there are no opportunities there for us," he said.
Regarding the aircraft needed for such a route, Woods said that procuring planes would not be as difficult as establishing the route, and the airline would purchase or lease aircraft to meet its future needs.
Although Woods hoped to establish a direct route to the West Coast, he confirmed with Guardian Business that renovating the airline's domestic fleet remains Bahamasair's top priority.

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