Air Carriers to the Abacos, Bahamas
From Sandy Estabrook's Guide to the Abacos
Connecting to the Cays? Don't forget to check:
Abaco Ferry Services
A Bit of History
"In the Beginning......." there was Mackey then came Outisland Airways then Aero Coach, Air Sunshine & Florida Coastal....
Mackey 1973 - Old Treasure Cay Airport
That's me on Out Island Airways 1978
It used to be that flying to the Abacos on the small 9 seat Cessna 402 commuter is half the fun of a quick fly over from south Florida. It's just an hour flight. The small plains fly at lower altitudes so you can almost see the fish in the turquoise waters near the islands. I think of them as sport cars as compared to a bus. They zip in and out of clouds easily bypassing any thunderheads. Oh, that 9th seat, actually a copilot's seat, was generally filled by a passenger as chosen by the pilot and usually blonde and female.
The only negative is, the longevity of these small carriers. All of the aforementioned have come and gone. New carriers arrived to fill the void and like their predecessors disappeared. 2007 & 2008, Chalk's International Airlines, a name synonymous with out island air service, had been resurrected and started flying to the Abacos and a new fleet of leased aircraft including 50 seater jets was promised. Then by the end of the summer they ceased flying due to the loss of it's federal operating license. Island Express Airline closed their hanger doors and no longer flying. Subsequent to that we hear they only had a single leased aircraft. No wonder. Then sadly on top of that, mid July 2008, saw the long time and pretty much reliable carrier of 16 years, Vintage Props & Jets filling for bankruptcy.
As for the Vintage routing (NE & Central Fla) or loss thereof, the slack was picked up by, Island Pass, Craig Air and Air Gate. And within 8 months Island Pass was gone. And about the time of their demise another carrier came on the scene with direct flights promised to the west coast of Florida.
For those interested in those early days of out island airlines, see SunshineSkies.net
Tales of Flight
A couple of our remembrances. Back in the 70's, A friend on a late arriving private aircraft touched down just after the airport closed (the airport runways are not lit and they close at sunset). He and and his wife not finding anybody of authority, hailed a cab to the ferry dock where I was waiting. Both worried about having not clearing customs, stated that to the taxi driver. He said not to worry and drove them back to the airport. Asked for their passports, took them inside and stamped them. He later informed them, his brother was the customs man and he has a key to the office. - No Problem Mon!
Back in the 80's. Once during a take off at the Treasure Cay Airport, the pilot abruptly aborted takeoff of the Cessna, turned around, headed back to the other end of the runway and repositioned himself for another try. Since I was sitting right behind him, I asked what happened? He simply replied, he didn't like the sound of the right engines and proceeded to take off again.
A month after 911, We flew over for a week taking advantage of the discounted rates. While at the Green Turtle Club, we befriended a Canadian couple who happened to be on our return flight. He nodded to the pilot and asked, "Aren't you the pilot that flew us over last week?" The pilot remembered him and their conversation and the fact that the Canadian fellow was also a pilot. The pilot invited him to the copilot's seat and asked if he'd like to take the stick after take off. "Absolutely he'd be happy to" was the reply.
2005 saw this one: My sister and her husband were returning on Continental which took them from Marsh Harbour to Ft. Lauderdale connecting to Phila. As it were, there was a delay of another Continental flight to Palm Beach which was supposed to arrive and depart prior to theirs. Well, theirs being the only Continental plane, ground crew loaded both the Lauderdale and Palm Beach baggage in the same plane. Shortly after take off, this mistake was realized and my sisters flight was called back to Marsh Harbour for the unloading of the misplaced baggage. They took off again, luckily in time to make her connection.
Also in '05 (Florida Coastal Airlines was our carrier of choice because of Sarasota being part of their route. Little did we know they wouldn't be in business the following year). On our return leg, We disembarked in Sarasota. And while I was waiting for the "one man office manager, counter clerk and porter" to cary in my bag which took all of five minutes, I realized I left my camera aboard the plane. Well in the five minutes it took to get us our bags, and because the pilot had no pickup passengers, he was already heading down the runway and back to Ft. Lauderdale. What to do? John, the one man Jack of all trades for FCA called the tower who called Norm our pilot who confirmed it was there. He left it on the seat to return to me the following day but dispatch switched planes on him and my camera took off for Stuart. Woe is me. But John tracked it down and I finally got it that evening. Imagine that kind of service from a major carrier. It's just a darn shame they are no longer in business.
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Abaco, so close yet so far. The superlatives to describe Abaco abound but getting there can often be arduous. It seems its the dream of many a retired pilot with a few bucks and backers to start up a Òlittle out island airlineÓ. Some manage to stick it out for a decade, many just a couple years and in 2009, one for only months. Now we hear in February of 2011 our carrier of choice last year because of their St. Pete non stop has terminated all flights to Abaco. Darn! The reason is quite simple. How to keep the seats full during off peak periods and still run an credible scheduled air carrier on a shoe string. Add to this, downturns in the economy. Eventually many switch to becoming air charters. Now chartering sounds like itÕs only for the rich and famous which isnÕt necessarily so. For just two folks maybe yes, bit a family of five or 2-3 couples some with kids, not so. Despite what you are about to read don't be discouraged. Abaco is worth it and as the saying goes....... "I travel not to go anywhere, but to go.Ê I travel for travel's sake.Ê The great affair is to move".Ê ~Robert Louis Stevenson
In a Nutshell, Abaco travel works best flying from Florida or the two US Carriers with Abaco service connecting in Florida, American Airlines (American Eagle) and Continental (Gulfstream). All are via Miami or Ft. Lauderdale or West Palm Beach. And in November of 2011 Continental has added Orlando opening up other connecting possibilities. US Air has a connection with Bahamas Air via Nassau which has a terrible reputation for lost luggage and missed connections (More below).
Marsh Harbour's airport has undergone a major uplift in recent times. 2010 saw a new runway allowing the old one to become a taxiway and in February 2012 Bahamian Broadcasting ran a story about the new terminal and control tower - 60% complete - now underconstruction and to be completed by summer. (Broadcast Video) Hopefully this development will invite more more carriers from more cities stateside with even larger planes.
Abaco, Bahamas, Air Carriers and Charters, as of January 28, 2012.
Via Marsh Harbour, (MHH) serving south Abaco, Guana Cay, Elbow and Man-O-War.
Via Treasure Cay (TCB) serving north Abaco, Green Turtle Cay & Spanish Cay.
Local Abaco and US phone numbers listed. The US area code for the Bahamas is 242.
Abaco Air Charters - Via MHH - Nassau, N. Eleuthera, Moores Is. 367-2266
Air Flight Charters - Via Ft. Lauderdale. 954-359-0320
Air Flight Charters - Via Ft. Lauderdale. 954-359-0320
Air Gate - Via Daytona. 386-478-0600
American Eagle -Via Miami 800-433-7300 / Local 367-2231
Baer Air Charter -Via Melbourne- Mon & Fri to Marsh Harbour +Treasure Cay charter 321-956-8695
Bahama Express - Via Ft. Lauderdale. (brokered group seating) 954-356-1540
Bahamasair - Via W. Palm Beach & Nassau. US# 800-222-4262 / Local 377-8451
Cherokee Air Charters - Via MHH Local 367-3450 - US# 866-920-9971
Continental Gulfstream - via Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm, & Orlando 800-525-0280 / Local 367-3415
Craig Air - via Jacksonville (NE Fla) 904-641-0300
Island Air Charters - via Ft. Lauderdale. 954-359-9942
Locair - Pasenger Charter & Cargo Service - 954-359-3001
Lynx Air International Charters -Via Ft. Lauderdale / Hollywood. 888-596-9247 or 954-990-1700
Regional Air via -Freeport. Local 351-5614, Treasure Cay 367-0446, Marsh Harbour 353-1225
Sky Bahamas -Scheduled Nassau flights & Out Islands 242-377-8993
Southern Air Charters -Stateside Via Nassau & Out Islands Local 367-2498, 323-7217
Twin Air Calypso- Via Ft. Lauderdale. 954-359-8266
Western Air - Nassau, Marsh Harbour and other islands. No US connection - Local 242-367-3722
Some guidelines to consider when planning your trip.
1) If you are considering going in May, June, July or around Christmas and especially on weekends during those periods, you'll need to book 5 - 6 months in advance. This particularly applies to airlines and boat and to a lesser degree, golf cart rentals.
2) Reconfirm your flight a couple times before departure to avoid any surprises.
3) Use carry on luggage if you can, in case you have to change flights in a hurry. But remember, security might remove any sun screen you'll be carrying.
4) Try not to arrive too late in the Abacos, as late arrivals can cause conflicts if trying to catch the water taxi to the Cays resulting in an expensive charter.
5) When departing Marsh Harbour, get there early as the little terminal can be hectic. If you have an early AM flight, and you might want to consider a day in Marsh before your leave - Rent a car and do a little exploring. The Lofty Fig and Conch Inn allow one night booking. Also; The reason they want you to check in so early before departure is not to deal with lines, but to allow time for your passport number to clear with Homeland Security. ItÕs not uncommon to hear of a passenger arriving 15 minutes before departure and not be allowed to board even on a half empty plane.
6) If you have a choice when changing planes in south east Florida, try to use West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami in that order. An earlier trip had us connecting through West Palm Beach. Including baggage pickup, customs and immigration, we were at the departure gate for Tampa in about 15 minutes!
7) Since USAir's commuter service pulled out of Abaco, they've teamed up with Bahamas Air via poorly timed Nassau connections which rates high for connection & luggage problems. (AKA "Bahama Time" complications mon). Any carrier booking you through Nassau, increase your odds of lost or late arriving "checked" luggage.
1) One last consideration if you find yourself aboard a small 8-9 seater; Weight is more critical and all passengers luggage will be weighed and checked. If the combined weight is too much, it could be possible that your bags might follow on another plane. It's happened to us.
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As of spring '09, "SHARED or SCHEDULED CHARTER" became the new catchword. Many small carries who could no longer maintain a regular schedule, did away with scheduling and chose to "sell their seats" hoping to fill a "scheduled charter". By the end of the 2010 season numerous reports were posted on the Abaco bulletin boards and the Abaconian Newspaper on Yellow Air Taxi regarding unanswered phones, canceled flights. This is on top of a FAA fine "for operating two Cessna 402 aircraft in violation of its air carrier certificate and operations specifications". Despite denials the situation persisted well into spring 2011. Then again in July 2011 notice was posted, "The FAA Revokes BIMINI ISLAND AIR Operating Certificate!
In the Fall '09 saw the appearance of LOCAIR offering passenger service and the only Nonstop Scheduled service between Florida's west coast St. Pete / Clearwater (PIE) and Abaco. They were our choice for 2010 but by January 2011 ceased scheduled Abaco operations alltogether. Darn! Then in May they were advertising "Out Island Flights" beginning May 25th. Go Figure.
A charter company that deserves honorable mention, one that has been in business for 24 years, thorough all the comings and goings, is Air Flight Charters based in Lauderdale and run by David and Lisa Donovan. They are listed below.
As for a typical charter price in a Cessna 402 that seats 8, Lauderdale to Marsh round trip, we had a price quote of $3251 (about $400pp) in January of 2010. That's on your own schedule arriving and departing, no lines , no lost luggage, and no hassle. It could be worth it.
Flying from northeast Florida, AirGate a charter air taxi service, provides per seat flights from Daytona Beach to Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay.Ê As of 2011 season, they will also offering flights between St Augustine and Bimini.Ê We understand they typically have a minimum of three flights per week and open up new charters as needed.Ê Dogs and cats fly free with them.
If you cant afford or fill a charter airline with a group of friends or a couple families, then we strongly recommend you stick to the two major US carriers, American Eagle and Continental/Gulfstream especially when booking months in advance. You'll want your airline to still be there. American/American Eagle has one late morning flight from Miami to Marsh Harbour and a mid afternoon flight to Treasure Cay on selected days. Continental/Gulfstream also flies to both Treasure Cay & Marsh Harbour but from Ft. Lauderdale and has Marsh Harbour from West Palm. As mentioned, an Orlando flight to Marsh was begun in november of 2011. You can add to that, Bahamas Air, it too has a single non stop five days a week from PBI to Marsh Harbour. The two US carriers can of course also provide "same carrier" connections to many other US cities. Things could always change so check their links below.
Finally as an alternative - to connecting flights in Florida, you might try connecting via Freeport, Grand Bahama. Quite a few larger US cities have nonstop flights to Freeport where you can hop aboard a flight by "Regional Air". They fly to both Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay. They have 3 flights a day. Their link is posted below. Regional Air has had favorable comments posted on the two Abaco sounding boards,
The Abaco Forum and the Abaco Message Board. One comment that persists are many reports of missed connections and lost luggage with the number one culprit being Bahamas Air (a USAir partner) with connections through Nassau. Any questions? Head to one of the aforementioned or E-mail us.
Abaco Guide
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Settlement at Guana Cay
In our years flying to Abaco there have been eight carriers that we have flown that no longer exist. Some ceased within a year of our first flight.
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