New runway - any updates/news

[AbacoRicky]

Does anyone have an update on the new runway in MH? I read in another thread that jets will be able to fly in - hopefully this will drive the price of flights back down but not make it easier to bring the "world" over en masse. Just looking for facts/timelines as pricing out flights really gave us some sticker shock.

Thanks! ~AR

[Marty]

Just got back. From personal observations, work is continuing and active on the new runway. Vintage Props & Jets already has jet service. Just launched this month (June), I believe. Saw the jet come and go while we were waiting. Not sure about completion timelines tho.

[Abaco Soul]

A fellow at the airport told me by the end of the year. I don't think so.

[FlyUS]

We ran the numbers various times at USAirways Express to bring in Emb 145 service from Charlotte, but the runway condition was a killer, not necessarily the length. We would have only been able to take about 32 or 33 passengers from Marsh Harbour to Charlotte, and even though this was 2002, it wasn't practical. This was also with assistance from the MOT - which then led to the jet service to Georgetown & Eleuthera.

Now from what I understand, the Vintage ops are with an Embraer ERJ 145XR, which is operationally the closest thing to perfection you can get from a regional jet, and they can only do about 40 or so on the leg to Treasure, but from Treasure they can do a full boat.

I just wish Vintage was able to do this jet service more often.. I know many customers would rather get there faster & in a jet --- but will Abaconians be willing to give up frequency for larger aircraft?

[nancy mcdaniel]

the many layers of the base on the runway (the time consuming part) is almost done and work has been daily on the project. We hear that Delta will be coming in with a direct from Atlanta.

[FlyUS]

I just checked with some of our planning folks, they said even with the new runway, we won't be able to fly in... I guess we were looking at doing MCO-MHH with the ERJ for Delta, but talks stopped when we all realized the VOR in Treasure Cay doesn't really work, so we can't fly there under Instrument Flight Plans (due to insurance reasons) and lack of instrument approaches to MHH or TCB.

So until the Navigational aids get fixed, I doubt you'll be seeing anything with the Delta widget on it anytime soon....

also, any news on expanding the terminal?

[gummy67]

My friend works for Bahamas Hot-Mix they are doing MHH runway.I will try to get some information from him.

[nancy mcdaniel]

thanks for you info. how does delta fly into exuma "safely"? just wondering as we are locals here for the past 15 years and looking for these recent terribly high prices to come down a little bit with two kids going to college in the USA.

[FlyUS]

the new Georgetown airport has "limited" instrument approaches into the airport - using their NDB - Nondirectional beacon. I'm showing that Treasure still lists the VOR and Marsh Harbour's NDB, but Im told neither of them work, or they are very sporadic - so if it doesn't work, we wouldn't be able to do the flight (how is that for last minute flight cancellation??)

If our pilots can't find the airport while flying in the clouds, we typically don't fly there.... especially with a jet. A turboprop can typically fly a lot slower and they have more time to see the runway - such as if you are doing a "visual" approach to an airport, a prop can get a little lower 5 miles out and be able to see the runway and have time to make an adjustment. If a jet is 5 miles out, that crew will have a LOT less time to react and make adjustments for a safe landing.

Its like when you are driving in fog... if conditions get bad, you slow down because you can't see that far ahead of you. Our operational specifications require our pilots be able to see xx miles out, and X thousand feet off the ground, or if you are driving, we have to see at least 5 car lengths ahead of you. If we can't see that far, we can't land. Instrument approaches allow us to fly "2 car lengths" ahead of us, as we at least have an "invisible" fix so we know where we're at. With a jet, 2 car lengths is NOT a lot of time, whereas a prop, its doable.

does that make sense?

[BahamaAngie]

Very interesting.

[nancy mcdaniel]

airfares and add-ons are just getting crazy! I thought it might be temporary, but now I think this is the new reality. Definately difficult for locals going over to the US for school or doctors or even supplies for a family.

[BahamaAngie]

I did some pricing today and it was cheaper to fly from EWR to MHH than from EWR to FLL and than onto MHH...crazy. I was doing Spirit from Atlantic City to Nassau, Nassau to MHH and it was cheaper the usual way with Continental...go figure.

[johnmck]

I have been told by some pilot buddies that there are GPS approaches for Treasure Cay and Marsh Harbour, but I've not had a chance to verify that.

[FlyUS]

Unfortunately they're not certified to be used by FAA Part 121 carriers... so they may exist, but we can't use them per our op specs, to fly an actual approach... we still have to be 5 miles out and see the runway from 2,000 feet above the ground to land.

[islandfool]

Unfortunately they're not certified to be used by FAA Part 121 carriers... so they may exist, but we can't use them per our op specs, to fly an actual approach... we still have to be 5 miles out and see the runway from 2,000 feet above the ground to land.There are gps approach to both runways at Marsh. As a former 121 captain and a current 135 captain we can fly down to 410 Ft and, at that altitude it's hard not to see the runway in this part of the world as fog is normaly not an issue. Not to sure where the 5 mile thing comes in as this would be the final approach fix.Granted I have been out of the 121 world for a few years and that might be the case now. If so,use 135 carriers with the 380 public charter like Yellow air, Vinatage or mabey the new guys at Craig air who opperate 135 and can do the GPS as long as it is in there opspec.

[FlyUS]

Just because there is an approach doesn't mean we can use it. Aspen Pitken County comes to mind - Air Wisconsin got some very special approaches and departures approved by the FAA *just* for them, and its in their operations specs. We, however, can't use them for our flights between Denver and Aspen because its not in our operations specifications to operate in that manner.

After 9/11, many aircraft insurance companies woke up and started paying more attention to their carriers' operations and policies.