Bahamas Probes American Airlines Near Misses at Uncontrolled Airports

Two near-miss incidents involving American Airlines aircraft at uncontrolled airports in The Bahamas in February are under active investigation, highlighting longstanding concerns about aviation safety and infrastructure gaps in the region. The events, which occurred at Exuma and North Eleuthera, have prompted a formal safety advisory from accident investigators and accelerated calls for significant upgrades to the country's air traffic monitoring and weather data systems.

The incidents underscore the operational risks at many of the country's Family Island airports, which handle significant tourist traffic but often lack air traffic control towers and advanced surveillance equipment. According to the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas (CAAB), internal investigations are underway. The country's Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) has also issued a "Serious Safety Concern" advisory to the CAAB, noting the events could have had catastrophic consequences.

The first incident occurred on February 12, when an American Airlines flight on approach to Exuma International Airport (GGT) was forced to take evasive action to avoid a departing aircraft. Two flight attendants sustained injuries during the maneuver. Just twelve days later, on February 24, a second incident took place at North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) when an aircraft passed overhead while an American Airlines plane was still on the runway preparing for takeoff.

Addressing Infrastructure Deficiencies

Michael Strachan, Chief Operating Officer of the Bahamas Aviation, Climate & Severe Weather Network (BACSWN), stated that the near misses validate concerns the organization has previously raised. "These instances that happen at these uncontrolled airports, it all boils down to lack of data and lack of information," Strachan commented, emphasizing the need for reliable, simultaneous data for both pilots and controllers.

BACSWN, a private company, has entered into a public-private partnership with the Bahamian government to overhaul the nation's aviation infrastructure. The project includes a planned $427 million investment to install 26 Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) units and 109 radars across The Bahamas. AWOS automatically collects and broadcasts real-time weather data, while other planned systems like Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) provide continuous broadcasts of key aeronautical information in busier terminal areas.

BACSWN is in the advanced stages of infrastructure planning, which includes flight tracking radars and multi-function phased-array radars from U.S. defense contractor Raytheon. "We've been doing an extensive upgrade and maintenance programme on the existing infrastructure," Strachan said. "We have teams that are being dispatched to Abaco, San Salvador, and a few of the other operating airports to upgrade and maintain the AWOS systems, the ATIS systems."

A Stark Reminder of Airspace Risks

The incidents in The Bahamas serve as a reminder of the potential consequences of airspace conflicts, particularly in complex environments. Strachan referenced the fatal mid-air collision near Washington, D.C., on January 29, 2025, as a cautionary example. That event involved a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet operating as American Eagle Flight 5342. The collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport resulted in the deaths of all 67 people aboard both aircraft.

While the circumstances differ, the fundamental risk of insufficient situational awareness is a common thread. At uncontrolled airfields like those in the Family Islands, pilots rely on see-and-avoid principles and proper radio communication protocols, such as self-announcing positions. Preliminary information from Bahamian authorities suggests these procedures may not have been followed correctly in the February incidents.

Path to Modernization

Full-scale infrastructure upgrades face logistical challenges. Both Exuma and North Eleuthera airports are in the midst of major redevelopment projects. Installing permanent equipment now would be impractical, as it would likely need to be removed and relocated as construction progresses. To bridge this gap, Strachan confirmed that BACSWN is introducing temporary measures to improve weather reporting and provide pilots with critical flight information while the airport modernization projects are ongoing.

The long-term goal is to create a robust, integrated network that provides comprehensive surveillance and real-time data across Bahamian sovereign airspace, significantly reducing the risks inherent at non-towered airports.

Why This Matters

The near misses in The Bahamas reflect a broader challenge faced by aviation authorities globally: ensuring safety infrastructure keeps pace with growing air traffic, especially in remote or developing regions popular with tourists. The incidents highlight the critical dependence on technology and data for maintaining separation standards in the absence of traditional air traffic control. This public-private partnership to fund and deploy advanced radar and weather systems could serve as a model for other nations confronting similar infrastructure deficits.

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