Flag

An official website of the United States government

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy, Nassau, The Bahamas
14 MINUTE READ
March 28, 2020

Colorful health alert graphic

Location:  The Bahamas

Event:     March 29 – Limited Flight Availability to the United States 

Commercial Flights to the United States

For U.S. citizens seeking to return to the United States tomorrow, Sunday, March 29, following are the limited commercial flight options:

  • Bimini to Fort Lauderdale at 2:15 p.m. – Silver Airways
  • Freeport to Fort Lauderdale at 2:20 p.m. – Silver Airways
  • Nassau to Houston at 2:55 p.m. – United Airlines
  • Nassau to Tampa at 3:15 p.m. – Silver Airways
  • Nassau to Atlanta at 3:39 p.m. – Delta
  • North Eleuthera to Fort Lauderdale at 1:10 p.m. – Silver Airways

The availability of flights to the United States has diminished considerably and has the potential to cease at any moment and without notice due to a lack of passenger volume and due to the restrictions now in effect on incoming international flights.  Please check with your airline.  If you are a U.S. citizen in The Bahamas and you need to return to the United States, we urge you to leave now.   U.S. citizens who choose to remain in The Bahamas should prepare to do so for an indefinite period of time.

Private Charter Flights to the United States

Private charter airlines are available in The Bahamas and some operators have confirmed their ability to provide flights into the United States direct from the Family Islands.  We encourage you to contact charter companies directly with questions regarding availability and cost.

  • Air Care 1: aircareone.com, +1-502-242-7760
  • All Bahamas Courier Services: +1-242-727-4165
  • Island Wings – USA: +1-954-617-8804
  • Makers Air – FXE:  Info@makersair.com, +1-954-771-0330
  • Trans Island Airways:  sales@tia.aero
  • Tropic Air Charters – FXE:  Tropicaircharters@gmail.com; +1-954-267-0707
  • Tropic Ocean Airways – FLL:  Flytropic.com, +1-954-210-5569
  • Tropix Air/Island Wings Ltd.:  +1-242-424-4260

This list is in not an endorsement. Additional operators not listed above may be available.

The Embassy has been informed by the Bahamas’ Civil Aviation Authority that domestic commercial flights from the Family Islands to Nassau are not authorized under the current emergency orders.  Any international commercial flights currently scheduled to provide direct flights to the U.S. or Canada must arrive to The Bahamas empty.  As we have seen, passenger volume has led many flights to be canceled with little or no notice. Furthermore, Bahamian officials have publicly discussed the likelihood of extending this emergency order until the end of April.  As a result, it could be several weeks or longer until commercial flights to these islands return.

On March 23, the Prime Minister of The Bahamas announced additional measures in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.  These additional measures include closing all airports of The Bahamas to incoming international flights carrying visitors, effective March 24 (including private airports) These entry restrictions were broadened March 27 to include all incoming passengers, including Bahamian citizens and residents.  

We cannot predict if, or for how long, the Bahamian government may extend these orders.  However, Bahamian government officials have already publicly discussed the likelihood of extending the emergency powers orders to combat the spread of COVID-19 for the entire month of April – including airport restrictions.

Please remember that evacuation flights by the U.S. government do not reflect standard practice and should not be relied upon.  U.S. citizens should make plans using charter and commercial travel options while they are available, and do so immediately. 

Actions to Take:

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Nassau, The Bahamas

#42 Queen Street, Nassau

+1-242-322-1181

ACSNassau@state.gov

U.S. Embassy Nassau webpage 

For U.S. Citizens in an Emergency

Call State Department – Consular Affairs at

1 888-407-4747 (when dialing from within the U.S.)

+1 (202) 501-4444 (when dialing from overseas)

Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter