In December members of the Airport Airline & Allied Workers Union (AAAWU) staged a sickout over outstanding monies owed. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the Hon. Chester Cooper commented on how the industrial action taken by employees of Bahamasair affected operations at the airline.

Cooper said, “any disruption at Bahamasair has a significant impact on the airline and the economy and every flight that is canceled there are residents and guests that are disadvantaged, who are stuck perhaps in a foreign country or an island where they had checked out of a hotel.  All of this cost need to be paid, absorbed by somebody.  Notwithstanding the sheer inconvenience and the reputational damage on Bahamasair.  Bahamasair is our national carrier and its a company that’s dependent on subventions meaning the tax payers.  So every dollar that Bahamasair must spend unnecessarily comes from the taxpayers pockets.”

Speaking on the future of the airline’s the Minister said Bahamasair has suffered financially for decades.  “We have a strategic plan.  We’re looking at possibilities of capital injection into the airline and I believe once we are able to achieve some of the strategic objectives in the medium term all will be well.  Bahamasair is still our national carrier and wherever we are and we see Bahamasair arrive we welcome it with pride.”

The employees returned to work after an injunction was obtained from the Supreme Court.