AirTran Airways Drops Bermuda Route

Tourism and Transport Minister Shawn Crockwell has described as “very disappointing” the decision by AirTran Airways to drop its United States to Bermuda flights.

"This news is very disappointing but not entirely unexpected," Crockwell said, adding that AirTran management had "left the door open" on the question of a possible future return to the island.

"We will continue to work with AirTran and hope they will indeed continue to operate a Bermuda service in coming years," Crockwell said.

The cut has been described as a "business decision" by the airline, which is in the process of merging with Southwest Airlines. AirTran said Bermuda had fallen short of its performance targets.

"We've had conversations today with the Ministry of Tourism and our other business partners in Bermuda about our decision not to resume seasonal service to the island," a spokesman said.

"While we can't rule out a decision to return in the future, service to Bermuda on AirTran currently doesn't meet our performance targets."

AirTran's May 2011 inaugural flight from Atlanta to Bermuda was celebrated as the start of a new low-cost service to the US. Its last flight to L.F. Wade International Airport was on September 2.

Source: Caribbean 360