Officials of US Airways have announced that the airline will expand service to Grand Bahama in February 2003 with the start of daily nonstop flights linking the island to its Philadelphia hub, subject to “foreign government approval.”
The new route will further strengthen US Airwaysﾴ growing Caribbean network, becoming the third US Airways gateway to Grand Bahama Island , the airline said in a press statement released from its Arlington , Virginia headquarters, on November 7.
US Airways currently serves Grand Bahama Island daily from Charlotte , N.C. and on Saturdays from New York LaGuardia.
Beginning February 15, 2003 , flights will depart Philadelphia at 8:00 a.m. , and will arrive in Grand Bahama Island at 10:59 a.m. The return service will depart Grand Bahama at 12 noon and will arrive in Philadelphia at 2:39 p.m. The new service will be operated using Airbus A319 jet aircraft configured with 108 coach seats and 12 first-class seats, the press statement said.
“Our customers will be able to enjoy a Caribbean getaway that is just under three hours from our Philadelphia hub,” said Douglas Leo, US Airways vice president of international. “We are also pleased to offer our Bahamas customers access to Philadelphia ‘s 106 destinations in the U.S. , Canada and Europe .”
“We are extremely pleased with US Airways’ decision to offer Grand Bahama Island from their Philadelphia hub, which is an especially strong gateway to the Caribbean ,” said David Johnson, director of tourism for Grand Bahama . “This new nonstop service will offer us the ability to market much more aggressively and effectively to the large base of US Airways customers who currently utilize the Philadelphia hub.”
The press statement noted that Grand Bahama is renowned for its world-class resorts and nightlife as well as its natural assets. The Grand Bahama reef system is one of the largest in the world, and its Lucayan National Park is home to one of the world’s longest underwater cave systems — a sprawling network of tunnels resulting from the island’s unique limestone geology.
Birdwatchers and plant lovers in particular will enjoy Grand Bahama , the press statement noted, adding that the island has 18 of the 28 species of birds endemic to The Islands of the Bahamas , including the striking Abaco parrot, and 52 species of orchids.
US Airways currently serves the following Caribbean destinations: Antigua , Aruba , Barbados , Bermuda , Cancun , Cozumel , Grand Bahama , Grand Cayman , Montego Bay , Nassau , Providenciales, San Juan , Santo Domingo , St. Croix , St. Lucia , St. Thomas and St. Maarten. US Airways Express also serves North Eleuthera , Governors Harbour , Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay from select cities in Florida .
