Acting Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis yesterday defended the government’s $100 million investment in Bahamasair for the purchase of five new aircraft and contended that the national flag carrier’s safety record would have been at risk without it. A 50-seat ATR 42-600, the first of five new aircraft, arrived in New Providence yesterday. Davis addressed concerns surrounding the feasibility of the investment during a commissioning ceremony at the Bahamasair hangar.
“Some have questioned our investment in this infrastructural requirement,” he said. “For those people I say, the many years that Bahamasair took to build a reputation of safe air travel can be dashed in an instant with the absence of this heavy investment of the kind we make today.
“So notwithstanding the harsh economic realities, we have invested $100 million towards upgrading Bahamasair’s turboprop fleet in order to enhance safety, improve operating economics and effectively compete with other carriers.”
The new planes are intended to replace Bahamasair’s aging Dash 8-300 fleet. The government signed the contract with Avions de Transport Régional (ATR) in July. According to the contract, Bahamasair will receive three 50-seat ATR 42-600 and two 70-seat ATR 72-600 planes by June 2016.
“This government is keenly aware that investing now is critical, not solely to avoid paying more later but to redouble the efforts to bolster our airlift capacity and to ensure that the reputation of Bahamasair remains intact.”
Davis said Bahamasair has been mandated to increase its competitiveness. He said it is incumbent on the management and staff to enhance its services.
“I am very optimistic that with the number of major projects underway in The Bahamas and others awaiting approval, there will be a need for increased airlift into New Providence and the Family Islands,” he said.
He added that Bahamasair is also considering purchasing or leasing some jets “in the not-too-distant future”.
“Very soon Bahamasair will be invited to diversify its routes among foreign markets to take advantage of emerging travel populations,” Davis said.
Bahamasair Chairman Valentine Grimes said the 70-seat ATR 72-600 planes will service high density routes to allow for increased capacity without having to increase the number of flights. He said the investment will result in a reduction in maintenance costs, reduce the fuel consumption and eliminate dependency on sub-services.
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