Bahamas gain direct flights

Bahamas gain direct flights Officials in the Bahamas say increasing direct flights could its economy's critical tourism sector, and help allay fears raised when into the new U.S. passport requirements took effect.
   Miami is the primary feeder airport for connecting flights, but this year has seen new direct flight from Atlanta to Nassau by Delta Airlines, and from Canada by Canadian carrier WestJet. An application is pending for a new service from Ohio to the Bahamas by budget U.S. regional carrier Skybus.
   With the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative this year, which requires U.S. travelers to have a valid passport for travel within the Western Hemisphere, businesses in the Bahamas and other Caribbean island nations were concerned there would be a steep falloff in tourism.
   The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism reported a nearly 1 percent decrease in first quarter arrivals.
   Tyrone Sawyer, Ministry of Tourism director of airlift development, told the Nassau Guardian that an increase in direct flights could reverse the slight downward trend for tourism.