Bahamian aviation officials said Wednesday they will not allow Air Sunshine to resume passenger flights to their nation until the investigation into the company’s July 13 crash has been completed, a process that takes six months to a year.
“As it is now, their permit is revoked,” said Anthony Dean, chief operations officer for the Bahamian Ministry of Transport Aviation.
Air Sunshine officials still held out hope the Bahamian government would reverse its position. But unless it does, the charter airline, based at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, must cancel four to five flights per day.
About half the company’s flights were made to the Bahamas. The company intends to continue service to Sarasota, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The Bahamian Ministry of Transport Aviation suspended the company’s operating permit Monday, the result of an Air Sunshine crash 11 days ago. The accident involving a 10-seat Cessna 402 occurred six miles short of Treasure Cay and left two dead. Eight others, including the pilot, survived.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it is taking no action against the carrier other than normal surveillance.
Air Sunshine officials could not be reached for comment despite several phone calls Wednesday.
Earlier, Moe Adili, the company’s director of operations, said Bahamian officials had told him the company’s operating permit might be reinstated if some technicalities could be resolved.
That was after Air Sunshine officials appealed the suspension, noting their pilots and maintenance staff are all highly experienced. Further, the company argued, it was given no clear reason for the suspension.
Bahamian officials said they have safety concerns. Although the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is heading the inquiry, Dean said Bahamian investigators are helping.
Salvage crews Wednesday began moving barges and a crane into position to lift the plane from about 30 feet of water, said Tim Monville, a safety board investigator. He didn’t expect the plane to be raised until today, weather permitting.
By Ken Kaye, The Sun Sentinel
