Addressing scores of Bahamians, including major stakeholders in the local tourism market at a town meeting held at the Foster B. Pestaina Centre, Mr. Johnson announced that a deal is expected to be signed in November, with the airline offering its first flights to Grand Bahama in March of 2008.
According to Sky Bus’ website, the airline has pumped money into improving passenger experience in the airport and in the air, "by investing in all new Airbus A 319 jets with 150 plus leather seats flying nonstop to less congested airports, hiring experienced pilots with a proven track record, and training our airport agents to deliver a level of customer service that keeps you flying on Skybus."
Mr. Johnson said, "One of the significant undertakings in terms of air service that we are embarking on in perhaps more than 25 years is Sky Bus and the Sky Bus marriage to Grand Bahama, and we intend to consummate that marriage in 30 days."
He said that by mid-March, Sky Bus will operate a once daily service to Grand Bahama.
"They have the ability to offer two cities, but we will start at one base. Our plan is to add the second base by June, and a third base by the fall of next year. So within their first 18 months of operation, the potential is there to enable us to receive up to 160,000 seats and in the neighbourhood of 110,000 to 130,000 passengers," Mr. Johnson said.
"This could be a major franchise arrangement for them and for us – a carrier that will be bringing incremental business, because what they will be doing is penetrating markets that we have not been in for a long time. I am talking about markets and airports that we have not been in like Columbus, Ohio; Greensboro; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; New England; Richmond, Virginia; and Chatanooga, Tennessee," he said.
Mr. Johnson reminded the taxi drivers, tour operators, vendors and business persons alike, of their duty to give tourists the best possible experience when they arrive on the shores of Grand Bahama, and to restore the good name to the local tourism product.
"They [Sky Bus] are in a position to offer brand new jet service, and low prices," he said, adding that the key to success is the sustainability of the business.
"Because they will bring them [passengers], the problem occurs when they come once and the buzz that got them here reflects in bad news because they are marketing over the internet. Everything is done and they talk to 300,000 people in seconds, and the 300,000 people talk to 400,000 people in seconds and bad news spreads faster than good news. So it is very important that we approach these opportunities, given that our natural location works for us, that we make it easy," Mr. Johnson said.
"We are the only island, from the markets that we are talking about, that is less than two hours when flying. We are the only island where you can get to the beach from the airport in less than 15 minutes, and we are the only island that can give you a four star hotel product for less than $200 per night in the winter season. If we simply pull ourselves up and work off the strength we have, I am convinced that the best investment in tourism in the country is the island of Grand Bahama," he said.
Minister of Tourism Neko Grant said that along with Spirit Airlines, which is anticipated to inject some $3.2 million into the economy of Grand Bahama per year, Sky Bus’ services will change the landscape of Grand Bahama as a destination.
"Sky Bus is very excited about Grand Bahama," Minister Grant said. "So ladies and gentlemen, the ball, in a very, very short time, will be in your court. How you bounce it will determine what happens in Grand Bahama."
Although the current tourism product in Grand Bahama has turned some cruise lines away from including it in their ports of call, Minister Grant said that Royal Caribbean is prepared to take a second look at Grand Bahama.
Minister Grant referred to the recent announcement that Norwegian Cruise Lines will be returning to Grand Bahama.
"I am convinced that it was a direct intervention of the master that they are coming when they are coming," he said. "NCL is on time but I am also convinced that NCL is a thermometer, and all of you in here will decide the temperature that thermometer will read. We can make it or break it."
- Austin DWI - New York DWI