A leading British airline is eyeing the possibility of offering a direct service into The Bahamas as it looks to expand its footprint in The Caribbean.
Currently, Virgin Atlantic services destinations like Barbados, Antigua, St. Lucia, Montego Bay, Jamaica and Havana, Cuba, but not The Bahamas. But the airline’s sales manager for the Caribbean, Reina Hinds, said The Bahamas is one of those destinations that continues to be on their “radar”, especially with the multi-billion dollar Baha Mar project set to come on stream in December 2014.
“While there are no immediate plans to begin direct service into Nassau, I would not be surprised if this is something that will happen in the future. Every year, we look at expanding our routes,” Hinds told Guardian Business yesterday.
“There is still plenty opportunities for Bahamians to fly on Virgin Atlantic via Miami, which is such a short hop way. And we have been seeing quite an uptick in people choosing this option and are very happy about it.”
Officials from Virgin Atlantic were in Nassau this week promoting its 2013 campaign “Flying in the face of ordinary”, otherwise known as FITFOO. Recognizing that the British-based airline doesn’t have a physical presence in The Bahamas, Hinds said part of the reason for coming was to remind Bahamians that they are a “great” flying option. It’s all a part of raising the airline’s awareness and profile among the local traveling public.
“We have extremely competitive fares when you combine Virgin Atlantic out of Miami with Bahamasair out of Nassau,” she confirmed to Guardian Business.
“As a destination, The Bahamas is on the radar and we are always looking for new places to come. You certainly have a lot of rooms to fill so it would be a good opportunity.”
Last month, tourism officials attended the World Routes event in Las Vegas and held positive meetings with more than 20 carriers, who indicated they would be interested in helping The Bahamas to meet its airlift needs.
Vernice Walkine, president and chief executive office of the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD), recently noted that when Baha Mar comes on stream, room inventory in The Bahamas will increase by 25 percent in comparison to the 16 percent inventory expansion on a smaller base that occurred when Atlantis opened.
She said that the “next step” will be for NAD to enter into direct negotiations with airlines to determine their specific requirements for adding or expanding service to The Bahamas.
Article Credit: Nassau Guardian
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