By JADE RUSSELL 

Tribune Staff reporter 

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

PASSENGERS cheered as Bahamasair’s inaugural direct flight from New Providence to Montego Bay, Jamaica, landed, marking a new chapter in regional travel.

Upon arrival at Sangster International Airport, guests were welcomed with lively drum performances and dancers swaying to the beat. Jamaican officials greeted passengers with gift bags containing Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, dry rub seasoning, and bracelets in the country’s national colours.

A press conference followed at the airport to commemorate the launch of the direct flight, now available every Sunday and Thursday.

Tanya Pratt, chairman of Bahamasair, described the new route as a significant step in the airline’s efforts to transform its services. Ms Pratt acknowledged challenges Bahamasair has experienced in the past, but said the Montego Bay route demonstrates the airline’s commitment to improving the air transport sector for its customers.

Ms Pratt told reporters the direct flight was only the beginning of the growing partnership with Jamaica. She said Montego Bay was chosen over Kingston as the starting location based on data that showed the location was more feasible.

The Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, will actively promote the new route. Immigration and National Insurance Minister Alfred Sears, representing Minister of Tourism and Aviation Chester Cooper, highlighted the cultural and historical ties between The Bahamas and Jamaica.

“As a destination and airline, we are both committed to increasing airlift from our key source markets while ensuring that visitor satisfaction is at its peak,” Mr Sears said. “We both aim to make it easier and more affordable for our visitors to get to us while seeking to offer the most memorable and authentic vacation experiences in our islands, we both aim to encourage to multi-jurisdictional tourism within the region.” Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, also praised the partnership, noting that the direct flights create greater connectivity for Caribbean countries with international airlines.

Officials emphasised that the collaboration between The Bahamas and Jamaica also marked a significant milestone for CARICOM, fostering economic integration among member states.

Passengers were enthusiastic about the new route, with one Bahamian traveller describing the flight as “smooth sailing” and expressing a desire to visit Jamaica again.

The flight between New Providence and Montego Bay takes one hour and 25 minutes. Tickets are currently priced at $526, with holiday promotions expected soon.