Western Air
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Founded | 2000 | ||||||
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Commenced operations | 2001 | ||||||
Operating bases | Grand Bahama Island | ||||||
Hubs | Grand Bahama International Airport, Lynden Pindling International Airport | ||||||
Fleet size | 9 | ||||||
Destinations | 9 | ||||||
Headquarters | Grand Bahama International Airport | ||||||
Key people |
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Total equity | Est. $180 Million+ USD | ||||||
Employees | 241 | ||||||
Website | westernairbahamas |
Western Air is a commercial
History
The airline was founded in 2000 by the husband-and-wife team, Capt. Rex J. Rolle and Shandrice Woodside-Rolle by operating Fairchild Metro IIIs in one route, Nassau and San Andros. The airline's consistency and fast efficiency resulted in its service being requested by other islands. [4] Rolle was president and CEO from the inception of the airline to 2023 and is now chairman. Woodside-Rolle is vice president and COO. Their daughter Rexy Rolle is an aviation and corporate attorney and was vice president of operations and general counsel for nine years.[5][6][7] Rexy Rolle was named the first woman president and CEO of Western Air in January 2024.[8]
Western Air's fleet increased with the publicized multi-aircraft deal for EMB 145s jets in 2018. The airline acquired additional jets in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 to assist with growing airlift demands.[9]
Destinations
Country | City | Airport | Hub |
---|---|---|---|
The Bahamas | Freeport | Grand Bahama International Airport | Yes |
Great Exuma | Exuma International Airport | No | |
Marsh Harbour | Marsh Harbour Airport | No | |
Nassau | Lynden Pindling International Airport | No | |
Cat Island | New Bight Airport | No | |
South Andros | Congo Town Airport |
No | |
Nicholls Town | San Andros Airport | Yes | |
South Bimini |
South Bimini Airport | No | |
United States | Fort Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport | No |
Hubs
Western Air has two major hubs inclusive of private passenger terminals, full service aircraft maintenance facilities and corporate offices located at San Andros Airport and the[10] second hub at Grand Bahama International Airport, which serves as its northern hub.[11]
As of September 5, 2015, Western Air unveiled its new $6 million passenger terminal and maintenance facility in Freeport, Bahamas.[12][13] The Freeport passenger terminal was severely damaged by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. The passenger terminal was rebuilt and reopened in August 2023.[14]
Fleet
Aircraft | Total | Replaced by |
---|---|---|
Fairchild Metro III | 7 | The Saab 340 |
Saab 340 | 14 | The E145 jets |
Aircraft | In Service | Orders | Seats |
---|---|---|---|
Embraer ERJ 145LR | 7 | 0 | 50 |
Embraer ERJ 145XR | 0 | 2 |
References
- ^ "Our Airline". www.westernairbahamas.com. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
- ^ "Our Facilities". www.westernairbahamas.com. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
- ^ McKenzie, Natario (2022-04-19). "UP AND AWAY: Western Air to launch first U.S. route in May with Nassau-Ft Lauderdale service". Eye Witness News.
- Flight Global. Archivedfrom the original on 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
- ^ Wilson, Kimberly (2024-01-08). "Meet 29 Year Old Woman Running Black-Owned Airline Bahamas". Essence.
- ^ Taylor, DeAnna (2018-12-11). "Meet Rexy Rolle, The 30-Year-Old Face Of Black-Owned Airline Western Air". Travel Noire. Retrieved 2021-07-31.
- ^ Moss, Shavaughn (2021-03-08). "'Rexy' Rolle". The Nassau Guardian. Retrieved 2021-07-31.
- ^ Dorisca, Samantha (2024-01-08). "Sherrexcia 'Rexy' Rolle Has Been Named President And CEO Of Family-Owned Western Air, Succeeding Her Father, Captain Rex Rolle". AfroTech – via Yahoo! Finance.
- ^ McKenzie, Natario (2018-11-21). "Western Air's Jet Growth Realised". www.tribune242.com. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
- ^ "New Western Air terminal takes shape on Grand Bahama". www.bahamaislandsinfo.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ^ "Western Air Opens 4M Terminal". BahamasLocal.com. 2012-10-29.
- ^ Maycock, Denise. "Western air unveils $6m terminal in Freeport". www.tribune242.com. Retrieved 2015-09-24.
- ^ "Local Investors Creating Economic Impact for Grand Bahama". www.thebahamasweekly.com. 2015-09-18. Retrieved 2015-09-24.
- ^ Walkin, Barbara (2023-10-12) [2023-09-12]. "Western Air's new terminal gets an A+". The Nassau Guardian.