NASSAU,
Bahamas, May 13, 2024 /CNW/ -- Southwest Airlines
recently announced the launch of its new Orlando – Nassau route. Daily nonstop flights will
connect Central Florida's
metropolitan hub with The Bahamas'
capital city at the height of the summer months. The Orlando – Nassau flights will operate from 4 June to 4
August, with departures from Orlando and arrivals in Nassau.
The Orlando – Nassau flights will operate from 4 June to 4
August, with departures from Orlando and arrivals in Nassau.
"The expansion of Southwest Airlines' Central Florida route map to include a new
daily service to Nassau is another
testimony to the government's efforts and commitment to grow air
stopover arrivals throughout our 16-islands destination
aggressively," says the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Tourism, Investments, and Aviation.
At the end of 2023, the Bahamas
recorded a historic 9.65 million total foreign air and sea visitor
arrivals to its shores. Of that number, foreign air arrivals
exceeded a record-breaking 1.7 million passengers, accounting for
an increase of 3.5% over 2019 and 17% over its 2022 air arrivals
numbers.
At the end of the first quarter of 2024, foreign air arrivals
had already surpassed 504,000, a gain of 7.3% compared to the first
quarter of 2023. End-of-year foreign air arrivals numbers are
forecasted to exceed 2 million.
"We have been very strategic about driving and expanding
strategic partnerships with airlines and our local and
international industry partners, including our Promotion Boards and
Hotel Partners," said Deputy Prime Minister Cooper. "Part of our
expansion includes an ongoing growth strategy in our Southern,
Central, and Northern Florida
source market, including Orlando,
West Palm Beach, and Tampa, to attract new airlift to Nassau/PI, Grand
Bahama, and our Family Islands," continued Cooper.
Southwest Airlines' new route will come on stream on
4 June 2024 in line with its
relocation of its operations from Fort
Lauderdale to Orlando.
According to Southwest Airlines, the airline has been serving
Orlando since 1996, offering
nonstop flights to over 50 destinations across the United States and the Caribbean. Southwest is also the largest
carrier at Orlando International
Airport, accounting for over 20% of all passenger traffic.
About The Bahamas:
The Bahamas has over 700 islands
and cays, as well as 16 unique island destinations. Located only 50
miles off the coast of Florida, it
offers a quick and easy way for travellers to escape their
everyday. The island nation also boasts world-class fishing,
diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth's most
spectacular beaches for families, couples and adventurers to
explore. See why It's Better in The Bahamas at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook,
YouTube or Instagram.
Media Contact:
Anita Johnson-Patty
Director Global Communications
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
Ajohnson@Bahamas.com
Bahamas USA
FINN Bahamas
Bahamasusa@finnpartners.com
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SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments &
Aviation