Inter-island travelers have resorted to another mode of transportation since flight operations at Flamingo Air have been suspended. Travelers commuting between Grand Bahama and Abaco are now opting to take private boat charters.

Nina Sanchez spoke with ZNS News at the dock in McLean’s Town, Grand Bahama. She said, “I work for a non-profit called Bonefish & Tarpon Trust. Our work spans throughout The Bahamas. So we rely heavily on these puddle jumper flights. I work in education, traveling to different schools. I’m supposed to be heading to Marsh Harbour for a summer camp and unfortunately I’m gonna be late coming over to that camp. I have to go over on the ferry now.

According to Sanchez she estimates that she used the services of Flamingo Air once per month. She’s grateful that the ferry is available as a back up option. She said, “it gonna be a struggle especially in the southern and central Bahamas where you have less options.”

Other travelers at the dock are frequent ferry users and prefer that mode to travel between Grand Bahama and Abaco. While the boat trip takes longer than flying it has been a dependable option for some time.

A Moore’s Island Resident said, “every other day out here crowded with people. The boat is what I really do. I’m more of a boat guy. I’m from Moore’s Island, so we know more about boating than plane.”

Flamingo Air’s air operations certificate was temporarily suspended following a fatal plane crash involving one of its aircrafts on July 10th.