Bahamas Inter-Island Flights Face Delays
Flights on the North Eleuthera (ELH) to Nassau (NAS) route—a key corridor for resort supplies—are averaging 29 flights per week with delays of 132 minutes. Western Air and Bahamasair are the main operators, but this variability necessitates strong contingency planning for time-sensitive shipments.
Delays on the North Eleuthera to Nassau route impact not only resort supplies but also the broader economy, given Eleuthera's popularity with tourists and second-home owners. North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) serves as the primary gateway to Harbour Island and Spanish Wells. The airport's redevelopment, including a new terminal, is projected for completion in mid-2026. Western Air, the largest privately-owned Bahamian airline, operates a fleet of 22 aircraft. Founded in 2001, the airline has hubs in San Andros and Freeport, serving nine destinations. Rexy Rolle was named the first woman president and CEO of Western Air in January 2024. Bahamasair, the nation's flag carrier, was established in 1973 and has its headquarters in Nassau. The airline's fleet includes three ATR 42-600s, two ATR 72-600s, and four Boeing 737-700s. Bahamasair flies to over 30 destinations across the Bahamas, the US, and the Caribbean. Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau, a hub for both Bahamasair and Western Air, is the Bahamas' largest airport. The airport completed a $410 million redevelopment project in 2013, increasing capacity to five million annual passengers. Runway 14 is undergoing renovations slated for completion before Easter. Sandals has faced supply chain challenges before, such as delays in a $37 million renovation of Sandals Royal Bahamian resort in 2021. Sandals Resorts International operates over a dozen six-star luxury properties across nine Caribbean nations and territories. The company retains all employees with full benefits during hurricane-related closures. Alternatives to air freight include sea freight, which is significantly cheaper but slower. Air freight is approximately 4-5 times more expensive than sea freight. Sea freight is better suited for large-volume shipments, while air freight is ideal for urgent or high-value goods. Given the inter-island delays, Sandals could explore consolidating shipments to Nassau via sea and then using smaller, more frequent air shipments to individual resorts. They could also consider negotiating long-term contracts with air freight providers for guaranteed capacity and rates. Also, keep in mind that Bahamasair is considering an order for new Airbus A220 aircraft to modernize its fleet, which could improve reliability and reduce operational costs in the long term.
