Bahamasair’s Managing Director Mr. Tracy Cooper has reached a significant career milestone – 40 continuous years of selfless service to the national flag carrier. His achievements were recently celebrated by colleagues, family and friends who gathered for a weekend of celebrations surrounding his 60th birthday, which he celebrated on June 22. They gathered to honor a humble, driven, devoted man who has displayed tireless commitment to God, family, career and country.
Under Mr. Cooper’s leadership as Managing Director since 2016, Bahamasair has grown from strength to strength and is witnessing new levels of growth that will stretch its wings around the world.
Named the Caribbean’s Leading Airline by the World Travel Awards five years in a row (2020–2024), Bahamasair’s growth over the past five decades reflects a trajectory of strategic expansion, fleet modernization, and global ambition. Mr. Cooper has led Bahamasair to new heights, thanks to a committed, capable team and a supportive Board, determined to ensure its future success.
Launched in 1973 upon government acquisition and consolidation of Out Island Airways, filling the void left by Pan Am and others, Bahamasair celebrated 50 years of dedicated service and an excellent track record in 2023. Mr. Cooper has overseen Bahamasair’s upgrades to a more modern and efficient fleet (ATR-600s, Boeing 737-500s). Bahamasair has also expanded with new routes into Montego Bay, Jamaica; Freeport to Orlando; and Georgetown, Exuma to Fort Lauderdale. It recently took over routes from Silver Airways after it declared bankruptcy in June, 2025, and has established new interline agreements with partners like Emirates Airlines, which enables passengers flying Emirates to hubs like Miami or Orlando to book through to Bahamasair flights into Nassau and the Family Islands.
“Tracy Cooper is a pleasure to work with; he is extremely knowledgeable about what he is doing, he is passionate about the work that he is doing – he loves Bahamasair and he loves our country”, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Hon. I. Chester Cooper.
“He understands his role and how pivotal Bahamasair is and the work that he does – how critical it is for the overall tourism product. More importantly, he recognises the service that he provides to Bahamians from Acklins, Crooked Island, Mayaguana, and other islands which count on him and Bahamasair for their connectivity with New Providence, whether its for healthcare, education, and more. I believe Tracy understands that it just isn’t a job; he is performing a service that might very well be a calling for him, because he has done it for 40 years, he loves it , and he is extremely knowledgeable about Bahamasair and aviation.”
Tracy Cooper’s career at Bahamasair began in 1985, and he rose through the ranks from an aircraft maintenance technician to becoming the company’s Managing Director, playing a pivotal role in shaping the operational, technological, and strategic direction of the airline. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami, where he graduated with honors and was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from St. Louis University (Magna Cum Laude) and multiple associate degrees in aviation technology and maintenance management from prestigious U.S. institutions.
A regional leader in aviation, Mr. Cooper serves as one of the Vice Presidents of the Latin American & Caribbean Airline Association (ALTA), where he advocates for the region’s airline interests and represents Caribbean carriers in key international aviation forums.
“I remember him in his short pants running the ramp working line maintenance,” said veteran international pilot Paulo Cartwright, “he worked his way up through Bahamasair’s Maintenance and Engineering and became the Department Head.” “He did the job for a long time until he was elevated to Managing Director – I think that’s the place he is supposed to be. I think he’s been doing a great job there; it’s not an easy job.”
Former Minister of Tourism Hon. Tommy Turnquest; former Bahamasair Board Chair attorney Valentine Grimes; Captain Vincent Beneby, retired pilot; and veteran aviation consultant Hubert Adderley were among those paying tribute to Mr. Cooper for his four-decade tenure. They all noted his intelligence and leadership capabilities, as well as his Christian values and full commitment to everything that he did. They recall that implementing a digital cloud system for Bahamasair was one of his greatest accomplishments in leading the flag carrier into the 21st Century.
“Mr. Cooper’s position is a 24/7 job,” said Bahamasair Board of Directors Chair Tanya Pratt, the first woman to hold the position. “As long as those aircrafts are in the air, then we have to have our ears to the ground. Mr. Cooper has a very interesting job. It calls for being innovative and it calls for being flexible. He wears many, many hats and to be honest, I think it’s a thankless job because people don’t understand everything that goes into being the Managing Director.”
Reflecting on his 60 years of life and 40 years of professional tenure, Mr. Cooper gave thanks to his mother, Sister Veronica “Bebe” Cooper, for laying a firm educational foundation for him: “When I was a child, I was science-minded. I was also intrigued with airplanes. My mother asked me when I was pretty young what I wanted to do. At that time, I didn’t know anything about aircraft maintenance. All I knew was that airplanes flew, and I wanted to fly airplanes. She told me that I needed to know the sciences. All through middle and high school, she made me take up physics and the other sciences that would prepare me for getting into the field of aviation. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate her for that because as I matriculated through college, it was all preparation for aviation. I always loved airplanes; I wanted to be around them just as many young kids do today. So I thank my mother.”
Outside of his professional acumen, Mr. Cooper is a loving family man. He is married to Bridgette Cooper, Country Head, University of the West Indies, Bahamas. This 31-year union is blessed with two children – Delon (Civil Engineer) and Brittney (Speech Language Pathologist).
He is an active Deacon and music ministry leader at the Church of God of Prophecy (COGOP), Bahamas. Additionally, he contributes his time to organizations such as SKAL International Bahamas; the Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board; and the COGOP Brass Band system, where he presently serves as Chairman of Bands. He also is a trombonist in the Bahama Brass Band and an assistant choir director at his local church.
Respected for his integrity, visionary leadership, and technical acumen, Tracy J. Cooper remains a foundational figure in Bahamian aviation and an enduring example of professional excellence and civic dedication.
