KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has welcomed the tourism growth between Nassau, The Bahamas and Montego Bay, Jamaica, following the successful launch of Bahamasair’s direct, twice-weekly service that began in November 2024.

Since the inaugural flight touched down at Sangster International Airport seven months ago, visitor arrivals from Nassau to Montego Bay have seen an increase, with Jamaica welcoming 3,092 arrivals and 3,074 departures to The Bahamas.

“The success of this route demonstrates the tremendous potential for intra-Caribbean travel when we remove barriers and create convenient connections,” said Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett.

“Nassau visitors are discovering the unique attractions of western Jamaica, from our pristine beaches to our rich cultural heritage, while Jamaicans now can explore the unique features of the islands of The Bahamas. The new route also provides economic benefits for both countries through increased visitor spend,” he added.

Search for travel to Jamaica has increased significantly since the inaugural flight which will help to drive interest in travel over the next three months. Jamaica maintains the largest market share of Caribbean destination searches from The Bahamas, consistently above Dominican Republic, Barbados and St Lucia.

“The direct link has facilitated deeper cultural and business relationships between Jamaica and The Bahamas which exemplifies successful intra-Caribbean collaboration. This is more than just a flight route — it’s a bridge connecting our Caribbean family,” said Director of Tourism, Donovan White.

The one-hour and 25-minute-long flight operating on Thursdays and Sundays has eliminated the need for lengthy connections through the United States or other international gateways. The projected increase in visitor spending is set to provide a significant boost to local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and tour operators for both countries.

During a recent visit by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) to The Bahamas, Bahamasair Chairman, Tanya Pratt, said: “The Caribbean is strongest when we move forward together. This isn’t just a visit, it’s a celebration of shared values, family and vision. What we’re building today will have lasting ripple effects.”

Bahamasair’s Deputy Managing Director, Shevonn Cambridge added that the airline’s belief is that airlift is “not just about transportation, it’s about connection”. He thanked the Jamaica Tourist Board for its trust and collaboration in shaping a new model of regional partnership.