Vision Airlines’ inagural flight touched down at the Grand Bahama Airport on Thursday afternoon, with 134 passengers, to begin what is expected to be a long standing relationship between Grand Bahama and Baltimore and other surrounding areas, as well as Florida.Ben Davis, Chairman of the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board welcomed the visitors to the island during an official ceremony at the airport.

He lauded the facilities at the Grand Lucayan Resort, where he is also the General Manager, stating that they are pleased to accommodate the Baltimore passengers.Minister of Works and Transport and Acting Minister of Tourism and Aviation, Hon. Neko Grant said that earlier that day he had attended a previous inaguaral flight in Nassau, which he noted is presently in talks to expand their services from Canada to include Freeport, Grand Bahama.This is a much welcomed day for tourism and for Grand Bahama, said Minister Grant. “We are simply delighted to welcome the regular flights by Vision Airlines from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Louisville Kentucky, and the Baltimore Washington area. What is more gratifying is that today is only the beginning. Tomorrow I am told Vision will start services from Richmond Virginia and Raleigh Durham, North Carolina.

Grant stated that these flights are very important to the economy of Grand?Bahama, with the Vision Airlines flights expected to generate over 100,000 seats to the island using their Boeing 737 aircraft from five gateways.Bringing these healthy numbers to Grand Bahama will go a long way in rejuvenating commerce here on Grand?Bahama Island that we need badly” said the Minister.He said that Grand Bahama tourism officials have been working around the clock to bring the best possible success to these flights, adding that for several weeks Grand?Bahama has been buzzing with activities from tour operators and other travel partners, who were brought to the island during a series of Familiarization trips.

Having seen all there is to offer here,Minister Grant added, they are in a better position to promote Grand Bahama and at the same time they are able to tell travellers that Vision Airlines is a reliable and cost effective way of reaching this destination.He stressed that the Government of The Bahamas will do whatever it can to assist in making this service a long and mutually rewarding relationship.Giving the vote of thanks was Gary Gilbert, CEO of Freeport Harbour Company, Grand Bahama Airport Company, Free-port Container Port and the Grand Lucayan Resort who said that these are exciting times for the island and the Resort. He then thanked everyone who assisted in making the day possible.

Among the passengers making the inagural flight on Thursday was Barbados’ Ambassador to the United States John Beale.On-hand to greet the passengers was a local junkanoo group on the tarmac, along with local officials including the Minister of State with responsibility for Finance Hon. Zhivargo Laing, and Member of Parliament for Eight Mile Rock, Verna Grant, as well as the heads of various government departments on Grand Bahama Island.