Bahamasair (UP, Nassau International) chairman Valentine Grimes says his airline hopes to unveil its fleet renewal plans within the next 30 days. The move is part of the loss-making carrier's restructuring which among other things, has seen it renegotiate Collective Labour Agreements (CLA) with the Bahamas Airline Pilots Association (B-ALPA) and the Airport, Airline and Allied Workers Union (AAAWU) as well as middle management.
"That will go towards reducing costs also because, unfortunately, the older your planes are the more expensive they are to maintain and operate. We hope to make a formal announcement with details in another 30 days,” he told the Bahamas Tribune in an interview.
According to the ch-aviation aircraft database, the Bahamian national carrier's fleet consists of three B737-500s averaging 20.7 years of age and five Dash 8-300s which now average almost 24 years.
Nassau is considering its options insofar as the airline's future is concerned. While government has committed itself to turning the airline into a profitable entity, a recent independent review of the carrier's status and future prospects cast doubt on it being able to survive without state assistance.
