Editing Bahamasair

{{distinguish|BermudAir}}

{{short description|Flag carrier of the Bahamas}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = Bahamasair
| logo = Bahamasair Logo.svg
| image = [[File:Commercial flight UP203 NAS to FLL airplane C6-BFX Boeing 737-790.jpg|Commercial_flight_UP203_NAS_to_FLL_airplane_C6-BFX_Boeing_737-790|250px]]
| caption = A Bahamasair [[Boeing 737-700]] in [[Fort Lauderdale Airport|Fort Lauderdale]]
| IATA = UP<ref name=iata>{{cite web|title=IATA - Airline and Airport Code Search|url=http://www.iata.org/publications/Pages/code-search.aspx|website=iata.org|access-date=11 April 2015|archive-date=7 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807150053/http://www.iata.org/publications/Pages/code-search.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
| ICAO = BHS
| callsign = BAHAMAS
| parent = Bahamian Government<ref name="NAAH">{{cite book|last=Norwood|first=Tom|author2=Wegg, John|title=North American Airlines Handbook|publisher=Airways International|location=Sandpoint, ID|year=2002|edition=3rd|isbn=0-9653993-8-9|url=http://www.airwaysnews.com|access-date=2018-10-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128070750/http://www.airwaysnews.com/|archive-date=2016-11-28|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| founded = {{Start date|1973}}<ref name="NAAH"/>
| commenced = {{Start date and age|1973|06|17|df=y}}<ref name="NAAH"/>
| key_people = {{nowrap|Tracy Cooper, Managing Director}}<ref>{{cite journal|title=New routes for Bahamasair|journal=Airliner World|date=January 2015|page=15}}</ref>
| headquarters = [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], [[Bahamas]]
| aoc = 
| hubs = {{nowrap|[[Lynden Pindling International Airport]]}}
| focus_cities = 
| frequent_flyer = Bahamasair Flyer
| fleet_size = 9
| destinations = 20
| num_employees = 
| website = {{URL|https://www.bahamasair.com/}}
}}
'''Bahamasair Holdings Limited''', operating as '''Bahamasair''' (stylised: '''bahamasaır'''), is the [[flag carrier]] of [[The Bahamas]]. Headquartered in [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], the [[Capital city|capital]] of [[the Bahamas]],<ref>"Directory: World Airlines". ''[[Flight International]]''. 16–22 March 2004. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%200098.html?search=%22bahamasair%20House%22 96] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305082618/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%200098.html?search=%22bahamasair%20House%22 |date=5 March 2016 }}.</ref> the airline operates scheduled services to 32 domestic and regional destinations in the [[Caribbean]] and the [[United States]] from its base at [[Lynden Pindling International Airport]].<ref name="FI">{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= [[Flight International]] | page= 84 | date= 2007-03-27}}</ref>

== History ==
===Early years===
Bahamasair was established by the Bahamas Government and started operations on 17 June 1973 by acquiring the routes of '''Flamingo Airlines''' and the operations and routes of '''Out Island Airways''' ('''OIA'''). During the early 1970s, both Flamingo Airlines and Out Island Airways were operating scheduled passenger services, Flamingo with [[British Aircraft Corporation]] [[BAC One-Eleven]] jets, [[Lockheed L-188 Electra]] turboprops and [[Convair 340]] and [[Douglas DC-3]] prop aircraft while Out Island was operating  [[Fairchild Hiller FH-227]] and [[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]] turboprops.<ref>[https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/fal/fq7108/fq7108-2.jpg Quick Reference Timetable] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013111717/http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/fal/fq7108/fq7108-2.jpg|date=13 October 2023}}</ref><ref>[https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/out/io7205/io7205-1.jpg The Bahama Islands] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012184442/https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/out/io7205/io7205-1.jpg|date=12 October 2023}}</ref><ref>[https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/fal/fal73/fal73-1.jpg Reservations - Ticketing information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012184445/https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/fal/fal73/fal73-1.jpg|date=12 October 2023}}</ref><ref>[https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/out/io7205/io7205-2.jpg Island Flying Service] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012184444/https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/out/io7205/io7205-2.jpg|date=12 October 2023}}</ref><ref>Aug. 1, 1972 Official Airline Guide (OAG), International Edition, Nassau (NAS) flight schedules</ref>  Out Island later operated the BAC One-Eleven jet as well.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.airhistory.net/photo/35499/VP-BDI | title=Aircraft Photo of VP-BDI &#124; BAC 111-401AK One-Eleven &#124; Out Island Airways - OIA &#124; AirHistory.net #35499 }}</ref>

The first Bahamasair flight was to Andros Island and the second to Freeport, Grand Bahama. The Bahamas Government purchased 51% of OIA and became the majority shareholder and part owner, then renamed the airline Bahamasair. The other owners were Edward Albury, Gil Hensler and Sherlock Hackley who had 49%. After a few years the Government had purchased the shares of Gil Hensler and Sherlock Hackley. The only Bahamian owner of OIA still maintaining some shares was Edward Albury.

Bahamasair initially encountered operating difficulties, including poor maintenance facilities, economic conditions and company structure. Those factors brought public distrust as a consequential added problem. However, jet airliners started to arrive in the shape of new [[BAC One-Eleven]] twin jets including the stretched series 500 model, followed by one brand new [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-200]], and in 1973, it opened its first service to the US, from Nassau to [[Tampa, Florida]].

Also in 1973, the government's vision of several airlines discontinuing service to Nassau became a reality, when US carrier [[Pan American World Airways]] as well as other airlines decided to stop operating to the Bahamas. This enabled Bahamasair to capture a substantial part of the Bahamas scheduled air transport market.

Through the rest of the 1970s, Bahamasair kept adding flights to other cities in Florida and, domestically, the presence of the airline also grew rapidly. According to the February 1, 1976 [[Official Airline Guide]] (OAG), interisland flights were operated with [[Fairchild Hiller FH-227]] and [[STOL]] capable [[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]] turboprops and also with one [[Douglas DC-3]] prop aircraft. This same OAG also lists four daily round trip flights between [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]] and [[Freeport, Bahamas|Freeport]] operated by Bahamasair with BAC One-Eleven twin jets.<ref>Feb. 1, 1976 North American Official Airline Guide (OAG)</ref>

=== 1980s ===
[[File:Bahamasair Boeing 737-200 JetPix.jpg|thumb|A now retired Bahamasair [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-200]] departing [[Miami]] in 1989]]
During the early 1980s, Bahamasair unsuccessfully tried to expand to the Northeast United States, opening flights to [[Philadelphia]], [[Washington, D.C.]], and [[Newark, New Jersey]]. But in 1989, the airline's directors decided that those routes were not profitable and eliminated them from the airline's schedule. Also in 1989, the first of two [[Boeing 727|Boeing 727-200s]] came into the fleet. That was also the year that a new livery and workers' uniform were introduced. The Boeing 727s, however, could not be kept in service long because of political favors and interference, thereby causing the company to lose vast sums of money in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

=== 1990s ===
In 1991, [[Bombardier Dash 8|de Havilland Canada Dash 8]] turboprop aircraft were purchased to replace the whole jet fleet and the Boeing 737-200s were taken out of service. According to the September 15, 1994 Official Airline Guide (OAG), most flights were being operated with Dash 8 turboprops although [[Short 360]] turboprops and [[Cessna 402]] prop aircraft were being operated in scheduled service as well.<ref>Sept. 15, 1994 North American Official Airline Guide (OAG)</ref> The Dash 8 was being flown on all scheduled services between the Bahamas and Florida at this time according to this OAG. In 1997, the Boeing 737s returned to service because key routes warranted the cargo and passenger carrying capabilities offered by these jetliners. The 737-200 was deployed to Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando as well as one domestic route, being Nassau-Freeport.

===Development since the 2000s===
[[File:C6-BFM_(6859576364).jpg|thumb|A former Bahamasair [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-200]] in 2012]]
In November 2011, the government discussed plans to replace the Bahamasair Boeing 737-200s with more fuel efficient and cost effective aircraft. However, it was said that pre-owned 
[[Boeing 737 Classic|Boeing 737-500]]s may serve as a replacement for the then current jet fleet. In 2012, Bahamasair confirmed it would be taking delivery of two Boeing 737-500s with a 120-passenger all-economy class layout. The first aircraft was delivered on 30 March 2012 and put into service in April 2012. The second 737-500 was delivered on 21 June 2012. Bahamasair retired its last two Boeing 737-200s in September 2012 and received a third Boeing 737-500 in March 2014.

In May 2015, it was reported that the loss-making airline was in a phase of restructuring to gain profitability as advised by the government. This included new union agreements as well as a planned renewal of the ageing fleet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ch-aviation.com/portal/news/37334-bahamasair-to-unveil-fleet-renewal-plan-in-coming-weeks|title=Bahamasair to unveil fleet renewal plan in coming weeks|website=ch-aviation|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-16|archive-date=8 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808235321/http://ch-aviation.com/portal/news/37334-bahamasair-to-unveil-fleet-renewal-plan-in-coming-weeks|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly after, Bahamasair ordered five new [[ATR 42]] and [[ATR 72]] aircraft to replace all of its [[Bombardier Dash 8]]s.<ref name="atr order">[http://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/38123-bahamasair-selects-atr-as-dash-8-replacement "Bahamasair ATR order."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710205943/https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/38123-bahamasair-selects-atr-as-dash-8-replacement |date=10 July 2020 }} ''ch-aviation.com - News 2015''.</ref>

The airline took delivery of the first ATR 72–600 on 27 November 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airbusgroup.com/int/en/news-media/press-releases/Airbus-Group/Financial_Communication/2015/11/20151127_atr_bahamasair_atr72-600.html|title=Bahamasair takes delivery of its first ATR 72-600|access-date=25 January 2016|archive-date=5 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205080145/http://www.airbusgroup.com/int/en/news-media/press-releases/Airbus-Group/Financial_Communication/2015/11/20151127_atr_bahamasair_atr72-600.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Codeshare and interline agreements ===
Bahamasair has a [[codeshare agreement]] with [[Alaska Airlines]]<ref>{{Cite news |title=Codeshare Info - Alaska Airlines |url=https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/before-your-trip/codeshare-information |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527020415/https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/before-your-trip/codeshare-information |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |access-date=April 2, 2021 |work=Alaska Airlines}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fly with our worldwide airline partners |work=Alaska Airlines |url=https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mileage-plan/how-to-earn-miles/airline-partners |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706181739/https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mileage-plan/how-to-earn-miles/airline-partners |archive-date=July 6, 2017 |access-date=April 3, 2021 |last1=Airlines |first1=Alaska }}</ref>
and Interline agreements with [[Condor (airline)|Condor]]<ref name="Condor and Bahamasair form partnership">{{cite web |url=http://www.condor.com/us/fileadmin/dam/pdf/tcf-us/06_The_Company/02_Press/2011-09-07_Condor_Bahamasair_en.pdf |title=Condor and Bahamasair form partnership |website=condor.com}}</ref> and Hahn Air.<ref>https://www.hahnair.com/en/partner-carriers</ref>

==Fleet==
===Current fleet===
As of December 2023, the Bahamasair fleet consists of the following aircraft:<ref>{{cite journal |title=Global Airline Guide 2019 (Part One) |journal=Airliner World |date=October 2019 |page=5}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center"
|+ Bahamasair fleet
!Aircraft
!In Service
!Orders
!Passengers
!Notes
|-
|[[ATR 42|ATR 42-600]]
|3
|&mdash;
|50
|
|-
|[[ATR 72|ATR 72-600]]
|3
|
|70
|
|-
|[[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-700]]
|4
|&mdash;
|138
|
|-
!Total
!10
!&mdash;
!colspan="2"|
|}

===Historic fleet===
[[File:Bahamasair Boeing 737-500 C6-BFC (15203913143).jpg|thumb|A former Bahamasair [[Boeing 737 Classic|Boeing 737-500]]]]
[[File:C6-BFG (6942011405).jpg|thumb|A former Bombardier Dash 8–300 in the older livery introduced in the mid-1980s]]
[[File:Bahamasair Airbus A320 Maiwald.jpg|thumb|A former Bahamasair [[Airbus A320 family|Airbus A320]]]]
[[File:Short 330, Bahamasair AN0208975.jpg|thumb|A former Bahamasair [[Short 330]]]]

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;border-collapse:collapse"
|+ Bahamasair Historic Fleet
|- 
!Aircraft
!Total
!Notes
|-
|[[Airbus A320 family|Airbus A320-200]]
|align=center|1
|
|-
|[[BAC One-Eleven]] (series 400 and 500 aircraft)
|align=center|4
|
|-
|[[Boeing 727|Boeing 727-200]]
|align=center|2
|

|-
|[[Boeing 737 Classic|Boeing 737-300]]
|align=center|1
|
|-
|[[Boeing 737 Classic|Boeing 737-400]]
|align=center|1
|
|-
|[[Boeing 737 Classic|Boeing 737-500]]
|align=center|3
|
|-
|[[Bombardier Dash 8|Bombardier Dash 8-300]]
|align=center|7
|5 Replaced by the ATR order / 2 written off
|-
|[[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]]
|align=center|3
|
|-
|[[Fairchild Hiller FH-227]]
|align=center|4
|
|-
|[[Hawker Siddeley HS 748]]
|align=center|4
|
|-
|[[Short 330]]
|align=center|1
|Cargo only
|-
|[[Short 360]]
|align=center|2
|
|-
|[[Aero Commander 500 family|Aero Commander 500S Shrike Commander]]
|align=center|4
|
|- 
|[[Cessna 402|Cessna 402C]]
|align=center|3
|}

==Accidents and incidents==
As of 2024, Bahamasair has not suffered a fatal accident since its founding in 1973. However, three aircraft have been lost in non-fatal accidents and a weather event:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/database/operators/6386 |title=Aviation Safety Network Aviation Safety Database: Bahamasair |website=[[Aviation Safety Network]] |publisher=[[Flight Safety Foundation]] |access-date=2016-06-16 |archive-date=8 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208111853/http://aviation-safety.net/database/operator/airline.php?var=6386 |url-status=live }}</ref>

* On 31 July 1978, a [[Fairchild Hiller FH-227]] impacted the runway of [[Chub Cay International Airport]] seconds after take-off with its gear already retracted. It skidded on the runway and came to a halt, but was damaged beyond repair. There were no fatalities.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/328819 |title=ASN Aircraft accident Fairchild FH-227 C6-BDQ Chub Cay Airport (CCZ) |website=Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Flight Safety Foundation |access-date=2016-06-16 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304204607/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19780731-1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On 12 October 1998, a [[Hawker Siddeley HS 748]] was damaged beyond repair by [[Hurricane Mitch]] while resting on the apron in Nassau.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/ |title=ASN Aircraft accident British Aerospace BAe-748-348 Srs. 2A LFD C6-BED |website=Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Flight Safety Foundation |access-date=2016-06-16 |archive-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105221452/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19981012-0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On 20 April 2007, a [[Bombardier Dash 8|Bombardier Dash 8-300]] suffered a failure of the left main gear while landing at [[Governor's Harbour Airport]], causing the aircraft to skid on the runway until coming to a halt. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and written off. None of the 48 passengers and 3 crew members were harmed.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/321967 |title=ASN Aircraft accident de Havilland Canada DHC-8-301 C6-BFN Governor's Harbour Airport (GHB) |website=Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Flight Safety Foundation |access-date=2016-06-16 |archive-date=7 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407194611/http://www.aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20070420-0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* On 14 March 2017, an ATR 72-600 sustained substantial damage after being struck by a violent tornado at Nassau-Lynden Pindling International Airport, Bahamas. The left hand main landing gear collapsed.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/319909 |title=ASN Aircraft accident Nassau ATR 72-600 C6-BFQ Nassau-Lynden Pindling International Airport |website=Aviation Safety Network |publisher=Flight Safety Foundation |access-date=2016-06-16 |archive-date=13 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413071022/https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20170314-0 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Portal bar|Caribbean|Companies|Aviation}}
{{Airlines of the Bahamas}}
{{IATA members|americas}}
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[[Category:1973 establishments in the Bahamas]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1973]]
[[Category:Airlines of the Bahamas]]
[[Category:Bahamian brands]]
[[Category:Government-owned airlines]]
[[Category:Nassau, Bahamas]]