Bahamas Aviation Chief Gets Nod to Head International Aviation Body

By Jeannie Gibson
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The Chief Aviation Specialist for The Islands of The Bahamas has been named chairman elect of International Federal Partners (IFP) Federal Pavilion for the premier aviation event, EAA Air Venture Osh Kosh, which takes place this year in Osh Kosh, WI, July 25-31, 2011.

Leader of the Aviation Department for The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, Mr. Greg Rolle, has accepted the position to chair the prestigious aviation group that includes, The United States, Canada and The Bahamas. When Mr. Rolle commences his chairmanship at the conclusion of this year’s show, he will serve in the post for two consecutive years. He will assume the reins from current IFP chairman, Aaron Sauer, a Senior Air Safety Investigator with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.

“It will be my privilege to serve as the chairman of the IFP,” Rolle said on acceptance of the position, adding, “I will do my utmost to use my skill set, abilities and talents to ensure that the Federal Pavilion continues to prove to be an effective arena for the private pilot to be educated, enlightened and provided with up-to-the minute procedural and other information necessary for a seamless crossing of the borders.” The aviation executive further noted that, “over the years, The Islands of The Bahamas have benefited greatly from our mutual relationship, and it is my belief that acting in the capacity as chairman of the IFP, will add depth to our partnership.”


The prestigious honor being placed on Rolle, means that he will be the chair of a body that plays a major role at the Annual EAA Air Venture Expo, which attracts hundreds of thousands of aviation enthusiasts annually from across the globe.

“We (International Federal Partnership) are honored to have you representing The Bahamas to serve as Chairman for the upcoming years,” chairman Sauer said while welcoming Rolle to his position. “We appreciate your service and all the years you have dedicated to the IFP and The Bahamas representation at Air Venture!”

U.S. Federal Agencies and Canadian Government departments in 1990 began participating together at the EAA Air Venture in Osh Kosh, Wisconsin and came to be known as the International Federal Partnership. In 1998, The Islands of The Bahamas with its Civil Aviation departments joined the group. The IFP annually contracts with EAA for a massive 21, 000 square foot hanger - The International Federal Pavilion - and from this space the member countries with their various government agencies and departments, display exhibits as well as provide booths with information.

The Chairman of the IFP is responsible for facilitating the collective efforts of the members in achieving the Partnership’s goals. Duties of the chair include, facilitating meetings and teleconferences of the group; facilitating staff meetings and special engagements during the week of Air Venture and mediating differences that may arise between the members to the extent that the differences affect the Partnership.

Mr. Rolle is a veteran Ministry of Tourism employee who has been with the organization for some 25 years. During his years with this important ministry of the Bahamas Government, he has served in various capacities including Director of Bahamas Sports Tourism. A licensed private pilot, Mr. Rolle returned to the leadership position of tourism’s aviation department in 2008. Under his recent leadership, The Bahamas has stepped up its marketing initiatives against the lucrative aviation market. Signature programs include Bahamas Preferred (FBO) Gateways, Bahamas Flying Ambassadors, and Bahamas Day. The inventive strategies being undertaken by the country’s aviation department, has thrust The Islands of The Bahamas into the spotlight of the International aviation arena.

About The Islands of The Bahamas:
Life in The Islands Of The Bahamas is as culturally diverse as it is vibrantly beautiful, from the carefree Out Islands to exciting Nassau/Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island. With world-class diving and fishing, gorgeous turquoise water and miles of picture perfect beaches the 700 islands of the Bahamas offer visitors the opportunity to do everything or nothing at all. For more information on travel packages, activities and accommodations, call: 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com . To purchase one-of-a-kind items and mementos from the Bahamas, visit www.eshopbahamas.com .

'Decisive action' to halt carrier loss over 240% higher aviation fuel costs

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter
FREEPORT -- Grand Bahama Airport Company is taking "swift and decisive action" to reduce aviation fuel costs and prevent international carriers from terminating services to the island, as some airlines incur $1 million in per annum fuel costs due a price 240 per cent higher than Nassau's.

Vernice Walkine, director-general of tourism, confirmed that some airlines flying to Grand Bahama were incurring $1 million in fuel charges yearly, and had threatened to withdraw services because of the high jet fuel costs at Grand Bahama International Airport (GBI).

In January 2010, Grand Bahama's aviation fuel charge was 240 per cent higher at the pumps when compared to Nassau, Ms Walkine revealed at the 12th annual Grand Bahama Business Outlook. Jet fuel costs for carriers reached $5. 41 per gallon in Freeport, compared to $2.26 in Nassau.

"This much-widened gap in the fuel cost at GBI has placed us on notice of withdrawal of service, if fuel costs do not match those in Nassau, which is already some 40 cents per gallon or 15 per cent higher than their system average, which they are willing to absorb for an international route," she said.

Ms Walkine noted the fuel charges, when related to automobile fuel charges, would equate to a pump price of $4.35 in Nassau, and an astounding $10.44 cents per gallon in Grand Bahama.

"To compare further, this adds up to $1 million per year in their fuel charges on a route where regional jets are deployed, like GBI's Delta and US Airways flights when compared to Nassau, and when compared to their Florida routes (same flight distances where fuel charges are significantly lower)," she added.

The tourism official warned that a margin approaching $1.5 million in an industry that is losing billions per annum and cutting every possible dollar of excess cost will not be absorbed for long.

"If swift and decisive cost reduction measures are not taken within days, we will see the end of certain services within 35 days. So I am happy to report that swift and decisive action is being taken by our partners at the Grand Bahama Airport Company, and we will see a significant reduction in the cost of jet fuel within the next few weeks," Ms Walkine said.

"We must accept that no customer, and certainly no airline, is willing to pay a huge premium over Nassau's cost to fly into GBI.

"So when this imbalance exists, Grand Bahama simply loses its ability to compete for both the services, in the first instance, and when the service exists, our high carrying cost prevents our fares from being as attractive as those elsewhere, including Nassau."

The director-general revealed that overall tourism figures indicate that the Bahamas attracted about 4.65 million visitors in 2009, an increase of 6 per cent above the previous year.

She said the increase has been due mainly to the resurgent cruise sector.

"The cruise business is so strong that we expect mega cruise ships like the Carnival Dream and the RCCL Oasis of The Seas to spearhead increased arrivals of somewhere around 15 per cent over the first six months of 2010. Air arrivals, we expect, will increase at a slow rate, probably in the neighborhood of 2 per cent," Ms Walkine said.

However, she noted that Grand Bahama is not reflecting the flattening out fourth quarter performance that Nassau/Paradise Island has experienced, followed by growth in the first quarter of 2010.

"Instead, the island's declining trend steepened in the fourth quarter and shows no sign thus far of flattening or rebounding in 2010. Grand Bahama leads the Bahamas in that regard," she added.

Despite this projection, Ms Walkine believes Grand Bahama has great future potential. She said the island's proximity to Florida offers great advantages and wonderful opportunities for the cruise sector.

Ms Walkine believes the introduction of the Bahamas Celebration Cruise Line, which will sail exclusively to Grand Bahama from West Palm Beach beginning on March 15, will be beneficial.

"This cruise ship has the capacity to carry a large number of vehicles that can simply drive on and off the ship, and we are exploring with them the opportunity for a 'Drive to the Bahamas' thrust," she added.

Ms Walkine said this would allow visitors to truly explore the island and bring the kind of tourism benefits that American visitors have always given to Mexico and Canada when they drive across borders.

"None of our competitors enjoys such an advantage. Indeed, no other island in The Bahamas can enjoy such an advantage. We intend to work with all stakeholders, including our partners at Freeport Harbour Company, to make this happen in the shortest span of time," she said.