Local
Press Statement by Obie Wilchcombe on American Eagle suspension of flights GHIA Eleuthera
By Obi Wilchcombe MP Opposition Spokesman for Tourism
Mar 2, 2010 - 5:11:24 PM

The Bahamas - The e-mail below was sent today by American Eagle to Travel Partners which should be self explanatory. American Eagle has refused to land at Governors Harbour International Airport as same is not in compliance with Federal Aviation Authority Standards.

Although alternative arrangements are been made to accommodate inbound and outbound flights at the North Eleuthera Airport same will seriously inconvenience local and tourist travelers.

The Minister of Tourism and Aviation Vincent Vanderpoole-Wallace immediately must provide a full explanation as to why his Ministry has failed to maintain the Governors Harbour International Airport to ensure compliance with FAA Standards. The Minister must inform the Public the last time an audit was conducted on the GHIA and must also disclose when audits were under taken at all other airports in the Bahamas. It begs the question as to who is asleep at the wheel.

I will raise some additional concerns when the House of Assembly meets tomorrow.

END

Subject: Governor's Harbour
 
Dear Travel Partners,
 
 
Due to recent changes at the Governor's Harbour (GHB) airport, American
Eagle is unable to land at this airport and will suspend its
Miami-Governors Harbour route effective immediately and indefinitely.
 
We truly apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.   To ensure all
our customers are accommodated, we will continue to operate the
Governors Harbour flights into North Eleuthera (ELH) airport until the
problems at GHB have been fixed. In essence, we will be flying to North
Eleuthera 7 days a week until further notice.
 
For the immediate future, we are planning on providing bus
transportation between GHB and ELH airports to accommodate our
passengers. For GHB departing passengers, our customers will be expected
to arrive at the airport at least 2 hrs before scheduled departure time
to catch the chartered bus.   If passengers arrive later than this, then
they will be responsible for their own transportation to North Eleuthera
to catch the flight.   I appreciate any help you can give in advising our
mutual customers of these changes, especially given the short notice.
 
Once we receive an update from the government on the GHB airport, we
will resume our operations to this airport and advise accordingly.
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at
242-377-2355.   Again thanks for all your help and understanding.
 
 
Best,
 
 
Tracie Hoo-Glinton
Regional Sales Manager-The Bahamas and Florida
American Eagle
242-377-2355 direct
242-377-2354 fax
tracie.hoo@aa.com