Bahamasair (UP, Nassau International) retired the last of its B737-500s on October 22, 2022, and plans to continue adding one aircraft a year to its fleet going forward, Deputy Managing Director Prince Storr said during a conference.
"We've replaced all of our aged DHC-8-300 aircraft with some of the most advanced turboprop aircraft in the industry, and that's the ATR [-600]. In regards to our jet fleet, we're still sticking in the Boeing 737 Family, but we’re now replacing all of our aged -500 series aircraft," Storr said.
C6-BFD (msn 26448), a 29.4-year-old jet, operated its last revenue flight on October 22 from Orlando International to Nassau International. It was the last of a once three-strong fleet of -500s operated by Bahamasair. The carrier has since replaced them with B737-700s, of which the third, C6-BFZ (msn 30038), was delivered on October 17, 2022.
With the airline's focus on the B737NG Family, it is also evaluating larger variants.
"We're looking at a minimum of adding one aircraft to our fleet every year going forward between now and 2025. We have to look at aircraft with larger capacity. We're looking at the B737-800 which runs up to 170 seats [in Bahamasair's two-class configuration]. This helps with the growth of the airline and helps us carry more customers going forward. It will help with our revenue streams," Storr explained.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that Bahamasair also operates three ATR42-600s and two ATR72-600s.
Besides growing its fleet, the carrier is also evaluating opportunities for new routes. It is in talks with local authorities concerning services to Antigua and Bridgetown, as well as evaluating the Moss Town-Fort Lauderdale International route.
Editorial Comment: Corrects to Moss Town/George Town, Bahamas - 30Oct2022 - 18:01 UTC