April 12, 2025 is the projected end date for Delta Air Lines’ new weekly nonstop airlift from Detroit, which The Bahamas welcomed on December 21.
The seasonal route, which is being re-launched after a four-year pandemic pause, is the only one being offered through both Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Country Airport (DTW) and Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS). This service, in addition to other airlift announcements in recent months, supports the historic visitor growth The Bahamas has seen over the last year.
2024 has proven to be a big year for visitors, with increased airlift across the destination with a particular area of growth from foreign arrivals. From January to September 2024, The Bahamas saw a 16.3 per cent increase in foreign air and sea arrivals compared with the same period last year. A record 8.38 million visitors were welcomed in 2024 with an expectation for continued increased growth in 2025. The most popular destinations – Nassau and Paradise Island – welcomed 2,732,344 visitors from January to June of this year alone, a 17 per cent increase from the same period in 2023.
“We have seen tremendous growth in visitors since the start of 2024 and the destination is committed to welcoming tourists to immerse and stay in paradise, to take in all that our culture has to offer,” said Latia Duncombe, the Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Investment & Aviation. “From culinary offerings across our 16 islands, year-round festivals, and sustainable tourism initiatives to uplift the lives and environment of our people and communities, we welcome visitors to celebrate all that The Bahamas has to offer,” Duncombe added.
Additional airlift and developments have increased in the last year and projections of new properties and resorts and offerings for visitors have been announced through 2029. Recent new flights from New York, Orlando, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Fort Lauderdale are some of the destinations increasing airlift to The Bahamas. American Airlines recently announced returns to Freeport on a daily service that will then ramp up the Miami-Freeport offering twice daily as of December 2024. A Saturday service between Charlotte and Freeport, Orlando and Dallas Fort Worth to Nassau increased service begins the same month.
“As foreign airlift arrivals increase, we will remain steadfast in our effort to bring more visitors and investment to The Bahamas and expand flight and on-the-ground development offerings to satisfy the growing demand in the destination,” said I Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.
In Nassau, The Bahamas has seen a significant increase in developments and offerings for visitors from the largest and most populated island. Baha Mar plans to add a fourth luxury resort as the next phase of its continued development, with the ground breaking ceremony to take place in 2026 and a projected opening in 2029. The resort will be situated on 12 beachfront acres and feature approximately 350 rooms and 50 luxury branded residences overlooking the incredible turquoise Bahamian waters of Cable Beach. It will engage a workforce of about 400 at construction site, and 500 employed upon completion.
Tennis legend John McEnroe was set to open his first tennis centre at Baha Mar in December 2024. The centre will feature eight tennis courts and six pickleball courts, as well as host training clinics and private lessons suitable to pros and beginners alike.
