New airline BermudAir has cause to celebrate after being granted an air operator’s certificate (AOC) by the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) just over a week ago. The carrier is set to launch short-haul flights between the island destination and the United States, with a particular focus on providing services to business travellers.
BermudAir Prepares For Take-Off
Bermudian start-up airline BermudAir has announced that it has secured an air operator’s certificate (AOC) from the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA). The latest news represents the next step in the airline’s plans to operate short-haul, all-business class flights between the British Island Territory and the United States. It is hoped that the launch of new services between the countries will bolster Bermuda’s position not only as a growing tourist destination but also as a key choice for business travellers.
The airline plans to operate twice-daily services six days a week between L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA), Bermuda, and Westchester County Airport (HPN), New York, USA, and once-daily service six days a week between BDA and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Massachusetts, and Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL), Florida, USA.
BermudAir’s fleet will include two 30-seater E175SDs as part of a lease contract signed with Azorra Aviation, a US-based aircraft lessor. The E-Jet aircraft, produced by Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer, are said to be ex-aircraft from the now defunct British airline Flybe, which went into administration earlier this year. Should the service prove to be successful, the airline plans to expand its route network and the number and types of aircraft it uses.
On the AOC granted by the BCAA at the end of July, Adam Scott, BermudAir’s Chief Executive Officer, said:
“We’re grateful that BermudAir’s work to set up a world-class airline in Bermuda has been validated via the rigorous AOC assessment process”.
“This is a major milestone for our team towards fully launching the airline and being able to serve this market. Both the BCAA and BermudAir teams have put in a lot of hours to get here and we appreciate everyone’s commitment throughout the process”.
More Hurdles To Overcome
Although the new airline has secured approval from the BCAA, the next hurdle to overcome before BermudAir can fully begin operations will be to receive approval from the relevant US authorities.
In early May, BermudAir applied to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for a US foreign air carrier permit in order to seek authorisation to start operations in the US, and it is understood that the airline has now requested urgent approval of its pending application to accelerate its launch preparations.
Due to the above, the airline has been unable to confirm the date of its inaugural flight; however, a spokeswoman for the airline recently indicated that the launch of operations is planned for late summer.
Opening Up Bermuda As A Key Travel Destination
Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory and archipelago comprising seven main islands and over 170 islets and rocks located in the North Atlantic Ocean. The island is home to over 60,000 residents, and the country’s official language is English (Bermudian English).
The island is famous for its pink sand beaches, including the popular Horseshoe Bay Beach, and popular tourist destinations/attractions include the colourful city of Hamilton, the island’s capital, and the Crystal and Fantasy Caves, the island’s largest cave system featuring intricate stalagmites and stalactites and lakes with dramatic underwater rock formations. The island also features in the 1967 film You Only Live Twice, the fifth instalment in the James Bond film series.
Owing to the island’s natural beauty and the abundance of attractions available to visitors, airlines are increasingly looking for ways to expand their offerings to travellers in order to take advantage of the island’s growing popularity.
At the end of last year, for example, flag carrier British Airways announced that it would be launching a daily flight service to Bermuda and additional weekly services for the spring and summer of 2023. The launch of the service between London Heathrow (LHR), England, and L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA), Bermuda, to coincide with the peak holiday season has been praised for both giving travellers more flexibility in planning their trips and helping to boost tourism to the small yet beautiful island destination.
Are you excited about the launch of BermudAir? Will you be flying with the airline between Bermuda and the USA for business? Let us know in the comments!
