Bahamas Aviation Director Reveals Record Air Arrivals for Northern Islands

January 7, 2026 at 07:11 PM•3 min read

Bahamas Director of Aviation, Dr. Kenneth Romer, reported record foreign air arrivals for Grand Bahama and announced new American Airlines routes and Bahamasair partnerships to boost northern islands airlift.

Key Points

1Grand Bahama foreign air arrivals have reportedly exceeded all prior years, with stopover arrivals up 22% through October 2025.
2American Airlines will launch new nonstop Miami-Bimini service starting February 14, 2026, operating three times weekly on an Embraer 175.
3The Bahamas is strategically focusing on 'cruise conversion' to turn high-volume cruise passengers into high-value, long-stay stopover air arrivals.
4Future airlift plans include new routes into Atlanta and the introduction of night flights, supported by the ongoing Family Islands Airport Renaissance project.

The Bahamas Director of Aviation, Dr. Kenneth Romer, recently confirmed a significant boost in Bahamas northern islands airlift.

Dr. Romer, who also serves as Deputy Director General of Tourism, reported strong performance in the northern region. Grand Bahama foreign air arrivals have exceeded all prior years, year-over-year, according to the official [ZNS BAHAMAS] source. This growth aligns with national data showing Grand Bahama stopover arrivals increased by 22% through October 2025.

New Routes Bolster Bimini Connectivity

The island of Bimini faced challenges after a major carrier, Silver Airways, reportedly pulled out of the market. To address this, a significant American Airlines route expansion is planned.

American Airlines will launch new nonstop service to South Bimini (BIM) starting in February 2026. This route from Miami International Airport (MIA) will operate three times weekly. The new service utilizes the Embraer 175 (E175) aircraft. This is a crucial development for the island's tourism sector.

Additionally, the aviation director highlighted a new service for Great Harbour Cay. Bahamasair recently launched an inaugural service into Bimini. This was achieved through a reported partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. This service aims to diversify air access to the Family Islands.

Strategic Focus on Cruise Conversion

The overall strategy focuses on maximizing the economic benefit of all visitor types. Dr. Kenneth Romer Director of Aviation stressed the need for “cruise conversion stopover arrivals.” This means turning cruise passengers into long-stay visitors.

Cruise tourism is a major economic driver for the Bahamas. The industry generated over $654 million in direct expenditures during the 2023/2024 cruise year. Converting these visitors into stopover guests provides higher value. Stopover guests utilize hotels, restaurants, and car rentals, boosting local economies.

Infrastructure and Future Expansion

The increased airlift is supported by the ongoing Family Islands Airport Renaissance initiative. This project includes major upgrades to 17 airports across the archipelago. The South Bimini International Airport is undergoing a major redevelopment. This includes a new terminal building scheduled to open in early 2026.

Future expansion plans include securing new routes into Atlanta, Georgia. Officials are also planning to introduce night flights. These enhancements will improve capacity and connectivity, supporting Caribbean air travel growth.

The government is actively working to address capacity constraints.
Improved airport pre-clearance facilities remain a key priority.
Aviation is viewed as the “oxygen” for tourism growth.

This robust strategy aims to sustain the country’s record-breaking tourism momentum. For more commercial aviation news and updates, visit flying.flights. The aviation sector remains a core pillar of the Bahamian economy.