Bahamasair wishes to address recent media reports concerning passengers who were in Jamaica during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
We categorically refute any suggestion that Bahamasair abandoned its passengers. As the national flag carrier, the safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priorities. In every potential crisis, particularly those involving natural disasters, Bahamasair follows strict crisis management and emergency response protocols designed to minimize risk and ensure safety.
The first official alert regarding Hurricane Melissa was issued on October 21st, and all affected passengers were promptly notified of the developing weather system, the potential impact on travel, and the possibility that Bahamasair might be unable to operate flights once conditions worsened. From that time onward, Bahamasair worked closely with relevant authorities to monitor the storm and plan an appropriate course of action. The airline also maintained, and continues to uphold, open lines of communication with group representatives in Jamaica, including the group’s selected point person responsible for information dissemination among members of the group.
A relief flight was operated from Jamaica prior to the storm’s peak, providing all affected passengers with the opportunity to return safely to The Bahamas. The airline stayed within the operational window necessary to guarantee safety and successfully evacuated all passengers who arrived at the airport within the required timeframe before conditions worsened.
In the specific instance highlighted in recent media reports, the group lead made the decision to stay and advised that members of her group could take the relief flight if they wished to do so. None of the group members presented themselves at the airport within the required timeframe, and operations had to be suspended once weather conditions deteriorated.
We recognize the distress experienced by those affected by Hurricane Melissa and extend our empathy to all who were impacted by this powerful storm. Bahamasair remains committed to serving with integrity, care, and safety at the forefront of our operations.
We thank our passengers for their patience and understanding during this natural disaster. Bahamasair will continue to liaise with the relevant authorities and, once it is deemed safe to operate, will dispatch additional flights to assist Bahamians, residents, and visitors returning or traveling to The Bahamas.
