BY DESTINY JOHNSON
Journal Staff Writer

The Department of Aviation launched its National Aviation Three Year Strategic Plan earlier this
year in an effort to outline the direction of the sector as well as to meet global standards and
ensure initiatives are aligned with the government’s key priorities.
In February, the government announced 14 airports across the country that will be renovated and
redeveloped under its Public Private Partnership Program (PPP).
Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism Dr. Kenneth Romer said the
government has created a prioritized list of airports that also need renovations apart from the
previous 14.
“Within the next several months, you will see the significant traction in New Bight Cat Island,
you will see Exuma International Airport and Black Point airports. You will see there being
significant movement on the ground of the projects. You will see again work continuing in
Grand Bahama of the Grand Bahama International Airport. That are still actively involved in a
PPP process at this time. You will see we’re continuing in North Eleuthera as a priority and
Mangrove Cay and Andros and also Deadman’s Cay and Mayaguana,” Dr. Romer said.
“So, the government has determined a listing of priorities. Airports that will be given immediate
attention and mobilization over the next several months. Those who are the ribbon cutting in
Bimini, as we were to sign the management agreement, heard the deputy prime minister commit
to at least five ribbon cutting ceremonies over the next two years, including Bimini.”
Another aspect of the plan is to enhance strategic partnerships and engagement with not only
local partners but internationally as well.
Dr. Romer highlighted current partners and said they are in the process of creating new ones.
“We are proud of the work we are doing again with IKO and the FAA and AYATA and our
other persons outside of our jurisdiction. The deputy prime minister would have announced that
we would have signed an MOU with the state of Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iran
matters of mutual interest, including things such as air connectivity, development of aviation
knowledge sharing, human capital development and infrastructural development,” Dr. Romer
said.
“We have been pleased to partner with organizations such as ALTA, the Association of Latin
American Airlines. In Cancun, we held a meeting just four weeks ago and we are pleased that we
will be hosting 2024 in Nassau, Bahamas, the ALTA Conference. We’ve partnered again with the
International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers, just three weeks ago and now in Nassau we
hosted them here for their regional meeting.”

The director of aviation also announced plans for a Bahamas Aeronautical Academy and
Aviation Cadet Program, in partnership with the Ministry of Education.
Another goal for the department is to increase airlift and improve air connectivity by increasing
stopover arrivals to the Family Islands by 35 percent.
“On December the 15 th , we’re opening Seattle and also we’re opening also the LA and Seattle
through Alaska Airlines. Bahamasair we’re launching the Raleigh to Grand Bahama November
the 12 th , November the 15 th , next week, Bahamasair, Fort Lauderdale to Exuma. Delta Airlines
started November the 5 th , a few days ago, into Nassau from Atlanta. Delta Airlines again is
revising and invigorating Marsh Harbour to Atlanta,” Dr. Romer said.
“This fall, JSX airlines are in December will start a new Dallas, Miami Marsh Harbour route.
Makers Air is going into Fort Lauderdale for the first time in the Stellar Marris, Long Island.
Silver Air is now about to announce a new route into Grand Bahama. JetBlue again started
November the 4 th . Silver Airlines has new stopovers from Orlando into Eleuthera and also into
Abaco. Sun Wing resumes Grand Bahama in December. Air Canada returns to Exuma and San
Salvador. El Caribes from France into San Salvador.”
Dr. Romer commended the aviation and tourism stakeholders for their work so far and said he
believes The Bahamas will become the regional leader of aviation excellence.