Bahamian national carrier Bahamasair has officially kicked off its new service between Raleigh, North Carolina and the island of Grand Bahama in The Bahamas. 

The new nonstop route began operating on Nov. 17, with service twice weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays. 

Bahamasair is operating the fights on 138-seat Boeing 737-700 aircraft. 

“The Bahamas is the only place you can go in the entire world where there are 16 destinations in just one destination,” said Acting Director General of The Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, Latia Duncombe. “Today is an amazing day, an exciting day because there is a direct flight, nonstop from Raleigh, North Carolina into Grand Bahama and then onto New Providence.”

Guests on the inaugural flight were treated to Bootleg Chocolate, a product made locally in Freeport, as well as Sands Beer.

“We are excited about offering travelers nonstop service on Bahamasair to one of their favorite Caribbean destinations,” said Michael Landguth, President and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “The direct flight is less than two hours and makes for a picture-perfect getaway.”  

The Raleigh-Freeport route will be operating year-round, Caribbean Journal has confirmed. 

It is a boon for Grand Bahama, which has plans to ramp up tourism on the island. 

“This inaugural flight represents a significant boost into the economy of Grand Bahama,” said Prince Storr, Deputy Managing Director of Bahamasair. “Historically North Carolina and Grand Bahama share a rich history and relationship.”

The new route is the seventh international route for Grand Bahama from source markets across North America, Starr said.

And it is part of a broader push by the country’s Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Minister Chester Cooper to look to new source markets in the United States. 

Bahamasair is the seventh international destination for Raleigh-Durham International Airport.