[xml][/xml]
The Bahamas Weekly Facebook The Bahamas Weekly Twitter
Bahamian Politics Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


DNA: Fix Bahamasair
By Buscheme V. Armbrister
Jun 16, 2016 - 9:05:06 PM

Email this article
 Mobile friendly page
Buscheme_20Armbrister-2.jpg

June marks 6 months since the first "new" ATR 72-600 series aircraft was commissioned into Bahamasair's fleet. A move many Bahamians are questioning whether it was the right choice during this time.

Bahamians are increasingly feeling the impact of reckless spending at every corner by the Christie administration. The budget report is reflective of a dramatic rise in aviation spending by some $130 million, amid an almost $20 million taxpayer subsidy to the national flag carrier, and the Bahamian people have the Prime Minister to thank for that.

Of the $130 million expressed in the 2015/2016 budget concerning aviation, over $30 million is said to be used for aviation infrastructure upgrades in New Providence and the Family Islands. Also, further improvements of airports could amount to an additional $150 million. The other $100 million was spent on 5 new airplanes for Bahamasair without being tabled in the House of Assembly.

Despite no clear understanding how the financing for Bahamasair's new fleet was allocated, the present Government saw it fit to throw away $100 million of taxpayer's dollars at the beck and call of a (political) goose egg. With this level of public support, Bahamasair should be much larger than what it is. Though, the Government is not allowing Bahamasair to expand (having spent the last 40 years flying mainly to the Bahamas and Florida). In the late 80s, Bahamasair flew profitable routes to Newark, NJ and Atlanta, GA, USA. The Atlanta route was built and later passed on to Delta Air Lines.

Further, Tourism Director General went on record to say that they have signed a memorandum of understanding with Eastern Airlines (an airline that has previously went bankrupt) in hopes of getting airlift out of the West Coast of the US. This is an example of a route that Bahamasair should be preparing to fly. Focusing on purchasing 737-700s to handle longer international routes would only take 1 week deference training for all pilots to learn. The way they are running Bahamasair is parallel to the way they are running this country: giving all opportunities to foreigners and leaving us Bahamians to fight for peanuts.

Most importantly, the new aircraft fleet was not well thought out, as it is not the best for Bahamasair's operations. ATR 72-600 are not passenger friendly aircrafts, in addition, they handle poorly in adverse weather conditions. These aircrafts are susceptible to icing which can exist in the Bahamas flying upward of 8000 ft. during winter months. Moreover, it is alleged that on two separate occasions one captain and one first officer were inconvenienced by a jammed seat belt on the new plane(s) causing flight delays after the seat belt required removal. This safety hazard I have never seen nor heard of in all my years of flying on any aircraft.

As tax-paying citizens, we should be very concerned about this. There should be an explanation to the Bahamian people. Following over 25 years serving as a pilot and captain, I’m positive that better measures could have resolved Bahamasair's fleet & operational concerns. Some include, but are not limited to:

1. Better upgrade to the Q400 (newer Dash 8 model) vs. the ATR 72-600 at a lesser cost

2. Refurbishing existing Dash-8's at a cost of $2 - $4 million each, basically giving them a new life and saving up to $90 million

3. Targeting international routes via strategic partnerships and fleet leasing/purchasing

4. Phasing out family island routes that are handled by smaller airlines and re-routing fleet usage

All Bahamians need to think long and hard on the deception that's costing families, businesses, a rapidly declining economy and stagnant, heavily subsidized government operations. Are you honestly happy by the blatant disregard for your current and future well-being? Will you continue to stand by without knowing the where's and why's? When will enough be enough?

This comes as the Christie administration has added $1.6 billion to the national debt in 3 three years, increasing economic and fiscal problems as warned by the International Monetary Fund. Moreover, Bahamians should take a broader look into how much the PLP and FNM governments both think alike, encounter identical problems and are on one devastating accord: no vision to move this country forward.

Buscheme V. Armbrister

DNA Candidate - Carmichael

DNA Spokesperson Transport, Aviation & Bahamasair



Bookmark and Share




© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com

Top of Page

Receive our Top Stories



Preview | Powered by CommandBlast

Bahamian Politics
Latest Headlines
DNA PR: It's time to change the system
DNA on Extension of Emergency Orders
DNA on shanty town demolition court order
DNA on new lockdowns on Family Islands
PLP Candidate for North Andros and The Berry Islands on Lockdowns in The Berry Islands and Andros