Nearly three months after Hurricane Dorian slammed Grand Bahama, tourism officials have welcomed the first official flight to the Fixed Based Operators at Grand Bahama International Airport. Photo: CMC

The Bahamasair Boeing 737 jet arrived from Tennessee in the United States late Tuesday, bringing 138 passengers for the 21st Annual Tabernacle Falcons Thanksgiving Basketball Classic.

They were met on arrival by representatives from The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation (BMOTA), Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board, Grand Bahama Airport Company, Bahamas Customs and Immigration and the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

“It was important for us to welcome this first commercial international flight since Hurricane Dorian. Every opportunity to put heads in beds in Grand Bahama is more important now than ever,” said BMOTA general manager for Grand Bahama, Steven Johnson.

“Also, we didn’t want to disappoint the students, and families, who look forward to competing in The Bahamas every year, and we felt that this year was particularly important for the local students and families.”

Hurricane Dorian slammed in the archipelago on September 1, killing at least 65 people and leaving damage estimated at more than US$7 billion.

In addition, several people are reported missing from the storm that severely hit Grand Bahama and Abacos Islands.