Tradewind Aviation is expanding its Fort Lauderdale service to the Bahamas, moving to daily flights to both North Eleuthera and Marsh Harbour in Abaco.

Beginning March 17, the regional carrier is adding new Tuesday and Wednesday flights from Fort Lauderdale to both destinations, completing a seven-days-a-week schedule. The expansion turns Fort Lauderdale into a daily gateway to two of the Bahamas’ most in-demand Out Islands.

For travelers, the change removes one of the most persistent friction points in planning trips to Eleuthera and Abaco: limited departure days.

Daily Access to Two Out Islands

The new flights add midweek service from Fort Lauderdale to Marsh Harbour and North Eleuthera, supplementing Tradewind’s existing schedule and creating uninterrupted daily access to both islands.

Tradewind operates from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, offering a smaller-terminal alternative to larger commercial hubs. Flights are operated on Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, designed for short runways and direct service to smaller island airports.

With daily service now in place, travelers can arrive and depart any day of the week without routing through Nassau or structuring trips around fixed flight days.

Why Fort Lauderdale Matters

Fort Lauderdale has become one of the most important launch points for Bahamas travel, particularly for travelers seeking shorter flight times and easier connections.

For Eleuthera and Abaco, daily Fort Lauderdale service supports shorter trips, better alignment with villa and hotel check-in patterns, and more flexible planning for travelers connecting from elsewhere in the United States.

The shift is especially meaningful for second-home owners and repeat visitors, many of whom plan travel around specific weekdays tied to property use, charters, or marina schedules.

North Eleuthera and the Harbour Island Gateway

North Eleuthera Airport serves as the primary entry point for Harbour Island, with quick ground transfers across the bridge connecting the two islands.

For travelers staying on Harbour Island, daily Fort Lauderdale flights simplify access to one of the Bahamas’ most recognizable destinations, home to the island’s pink sand beach and a tightly clustered collection of boutique hotels.

Properties like Pink Sands Resort and The Dunmore Town are two of our favorite options on the island. 

Marsh Harbour and Abaco Connectivity

In Abaco, Marsh Harbour functions as the central air hub for the island chain, supporting travel throughout both North and South Abaco.

From Marsh Harbour, travelers can reach destinations across South Abaco, along with out-islands including Green Turtle Cay and Great Guana Cay, while also serving as the air gateway for Baker’s Bay on Great Guana Cay.

Daily Fort Lauderdale service improves consistency for travelers coordinating flights with marinas, boat transfers, and accommodations, particularly in Abaco, where access often depends on tight sequencing between air and sea.

Tradewind has been growing to become the leading luxury airline in the Caribbean, both with its expanding Bahamas portfolio and its uber-popular service out of San Juan to luxury destinations like St Bath.