Delivering his first National Address of 2018, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced that the government, in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism, has negotiated additional airlift to Grand Bahama with Sunwing, which should commence this year.

Sunwing Airlines is Canada’s leading leisure airline, offering vacationers more direct flights to “the sunny south” than any other leisure carrier with “convenient flight services” from over 35 airports coast to coast, providing easy access to over 40 of the most popular vacation destinations — including across the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and Florida.

The airline boasts one of Canada’s youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets, comprising over 40 Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

“We promised, to launch the rebound of the island of Grand Bahama in accordance with a master strategic plan, designed for Grand Bahama and to establish, a tourism signature identity in the marketplace, for the Island of Grand Bahama,” Prime Minister Minnis said.

The Prime Minister also said his administration will focus on the development of Freeport as the focus of an offshore technology hub.

“Last week (January 21-24), I led a delegation to Austin, Texas, one of the more prominent technology hubs in the US,” Prime Minister Minnis said.

“While in Texas, we met with several companies that expressed interest in contributing to and taking advantage of the opportunities, that are developing in Freeport.”

Prime Minister Minns said government officials have also successfully negotiated with Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line for the return of the Grand Celebration and the introduction of a new vessel, the Grand Classica, which will bring additional stopover visitors to Grand Bahama.