FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, 11 April 2023 — The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (MOTIA) hosted nine private pilots from Florida to a two-day familiarization trip of Grand Bahama Island on April 2 to April 5. The visiting pilots came to Grand Bahama as a part of the fly out from Florida that culminated The Bahamas’ participation in SUN n’ FUN Airshow held in Lakeland, Florida, 28 March – 2 April 2023. The fly out was organized to demonstrate to private pilots the ease of flying from Florida to Grand Bahama.

Over the course of the two days, the pilots were hosted to a welcome dinner by MOTIA representatives and treated to local tours such as the Bahamian Brewery, Paradise Cove and a private boat charter.

Wendell Saunders, MOTIA Groups and Events executive said, “The Ministry of Tourism is always excited to host fly ins with private pilots from Florida. It is our goal to continue promoting private aviation on Grand Bahama and the benefits pilots can receive from participating in fly ins led by our Bahamas Flying Ambassadors.  It is a pleasure to see the pilots thoroughly enjoying our unique Island experiences, and we look forward to the next fly in.”

The Bahamas Flying Ambassadors are a group of veteran private pilots with years of experience flying to and around The Islands Of The Bahamas.  The goal of the Ambassadors is to introduce new pilots to the ease of flying across the Gulf Stream to the Islands of The Bahamas as well as to familiarize them with the unique offerings of each Island .

Mike Z, Bahamas Flying Ambassador, said, “It is always a pleasure to fly into Grand Bahama. I’ve been flying here over forty years and this time is more exciting for me as I’ve brought three younger private pilots who will promote Grand Bahama Island even more via their social media platforms.”

The youngest pilot, Adam Antaya, 21, expressed how happy he was to be in Grand Bahama,  “This is my first time on Grand Bahama, and my experience flying here was very easy. Seeing the Islands from the sky is a beautiful view and the entire process, from clearing to MOTIA representatives receiving us, was seamless. The local tours were very fun, and I can’t wait to share my experience with the Fly Guys social.”

Antaya also noted, “Our mission at Fly Guys is to show persons involved in general aviation the opportunities available for them to take their private aircrafts to destinations and explore what is there.”

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments &Aviation will be hosting another international fly in, in the very near future. Interested private pilots can contact Ahmad Williams via awilliams@bahamas.com and Wendell Saunders via wsaunders@bahamas.com for more information on the upcoming fly in.