FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, December 16, 2019 – The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) has announced that the Grand Bahama International Airport has been cleared for all international flights.
In a post on its Facebook page on Monday, December 16, the GBPA noted: “We are pleased to advise that today’s TSA/BCAA review was successful, and the temporary GB International Airport has been cleared for all international flights. Even better news, Bahamasair will start flights into Fort Lauderdale as of this Thursday, with Silver Airlines scheduled to commence on December 19th. Please contact these airlines for flight inquires, we thank all the hardworking staff who made this recovery possible.”
This extremely good news comes on the heels of Saturday’s announcement that the GBPA was “pleased to join the Government and the GB Island Tourism Board in welcoming the first International scheduled flight to Freeport by Sunwing, bringing in guests from Toronto and Montreal and staying at Viva Club Fortuna”
“We are very excited to welcome them and to have our airport operational, and bringing visitors back to Grand Bahama,” the GBPA revealed on its Facebook Page.
GBPA Acting Chairman Sarah St. George and GBPA President Ian Rolle joined government officials and other dignitaries in welcoming the visitors who arrived on the Sunwing flight on Saturday.
A Freeport News article on Monday, December 16, on Sunwing’s return to Grand Bahama declared: “What was described as a wonderful indication to Grand Bahama’s restoration post-Hurricane Dorian, the country’s number one industry received a much-needed boost on Saturday, December 14, as nearly 200 guests arrived on island via Sunwing Airlines’ direct flight from Toronto, Canada.
“The welcomed visitors were received with open arms at the Fixed Based Operation (FBO) Airport, by a number of government and non-governmental officials and, of course, entertained with a special Junkanoo Rush Out.”
According to Deputy Prime Minister K. Peter Turnquest, the return on Sunwing Airlines to Grand Bahama was a breath of fresh air for the island and much-needed following Dorian’s passing back in September.
“This is an exciting development and, hopefully, will herald the return of our tourism sector,” the DPM stated. “As you know, it has been a challenge since the storm for available seats to the island and so, this is a significant boost for us. Hopefully, it will be the start of a successful summer promotion and encourage the rebirth of the investment in the tourism sector and the rehiring and restarting of the tourism economy in all of the various properties. This is a very good day for Grand Bahama, and we are very pleased that Sunwing has agreed to re-launch its programme here on the island,” stated the DPM.”
The Freeport News article also noted that Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Sen. J. Kwasi Thompson, expressed similar sentiments regarding Sunwing’s return.
“This is a huge, huge day,” Senator Thompson said. “We have been awaiting this day for several months, and what this is, is just another sign of Grand Bahama’s recovery. We are very pleased that we are going to have, I suppose, almost 200 guests come in to Grand Bahama for the first time since the hurricane. There was a lot of work to be done, in terms of organizing the airport, organizing the group. We also understand the Club Fortuna had undergone renovations and so, this really is tremendous for the community.”
Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort, which is described in its advertising brochures as a “budget friendly all-inclusive resort in paradise, recently officially reopened for business in the aftermath of the devastation caused to Grand Bahama and Abaco, two northern Bahamian islands, the first week of September.
According to its website, “This all-inclusive resort offers guests plenty of water sports to try out! Whether you want to sail the ocean waters, kayak the shores or take an introductory scuba lesson, Viva Fortuna has you covered. There are plenty of activities to keep the kids busy, too! Archery, bicycling and paint ball are just a few of the highlights!
“All this activity will have you ready to stop by the beach bar for a sandwich and pina colada. And, when the sun begins to set, enjoy dinner at the resort’s buffet restaurant, Junkanoo. Or, if you prefer, grab a pizza at the Viva Cafe or won tons at the Bamboo Restaurant.”
Viva Wyndham Fortuna All Inclusive Beach Resort houses 274 rooms, each featuring island-inspired decorative accents and equipped with A/C, satellite TV, hair dryer, bathroom with shower, balcony, daily replenished coffee and free Wi-Fi.
