By ALEXANDER HAWKINS

THE MINISTRY of Tourism has told The Tribune that the introduction of a larger plane on British Airways’ direct route between London Heathrow and Nassau will be “very significant” for the Bahamian economy.

Today, the airline has scheduled a Boeing 777 to make its inaugural flight to New Providence, replacing the older and smaller 767 on the route. The larger aircraft will offer additional seats, especially in the premium cabins, and will operate four times per week rather than five previously, flying on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

British Airways say the 777 service will bring a 16 per cent annual increase in passenger numbers.

Tyrone Sawyer, head of the Ministry of Tourism’s “Airlift Department”, said he expected “growth potential” in tourism from the both the United Kingdom and Europe due to the change of plane. With 1.3 million visitors entering The Bahamas via airports and approximately 10 per cent of these coming from the United Kingdom, the Department of Tourism thinks the new service could be invaluable for the economy. Mr Sawyer said that more seats on the direct flight from Heathrow will “help overall growth prospects” for the Bahamian economy within the European market. Currently, many European visitors transit through Miami International with American airlines.

Mr Sawyer says that the new British Airways flight will make it more convenient for many people from continental Europe to visit The Bahamas.

The change in plane by British Airways comes after an expansion of the Owen Roberts International Airport in the Cayman Islands, to where the flight continues from Nassau. This three-year $55m development includes a larger terminal to accommodate the higher volume of passengers and a reinforced runway to accommodate the 777.

Diane Corrie, British Airways’ commercial manager, Caribbean, said in January when the plane upgrade was announced: “The larger aircraft will be welcomed by the business communities on both islands including executives of the banking and finance sector, insurance companies and law firms and residents of The Bahamas who travel frequently to London and beyond on British Airways. The additional seats available in the premium cabins will also help to boost visitor arrivals from the UK and Europe to the island.”

Marcia Erskine, the Public Relations Consultant for British Airways in the Caribbean, told The Tribune this week that this increased service will provide “overall 16 per cent more weekly seats versus last year with significant increase in premium cabin”. With a seating capacity of 275 and four flights per week, British Airways will be able to fly 1,100 tourists direct to The Bahamas on a weekly basis. Additionally, the 777 “will offer 62 per cent more premium seats per week and 15 per cent more World Traveller” seats. This will potentially help to attract a wealthier demographic to visit The Bahamas.

British Airways’ 767 has seating for 189 passengers overall, with 141 in world traveller, 24 in world traveller plus and 24 in club class. The 777 has room for 275, with 203 in world traveller, 24 in world traveller plus and 48 in club class.

It is likely that other airlines will be monitoring the expansion of British Airways’ service to New Providence. Mr Sawyer told The Tribune that “Virgin have an interest” in resuming their flights from the UK to The Bahamas but have no immediate plan and are yet contacted the Airlift department.