NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The First Aviation Honours Recognition Ceremony was held to recognize individuals and agencies that have contributed to the development of Aviation in the country over the past 51 years.
A semi-formal event was held on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at Government House under the patronage of Her Excellency, Governor-General the Most Hon. Dame Cynthia Pratt. It was a highlight of the Second Annual Bahamas Aviation Week, October 27 to November 1, 2024 under the theme: 'A Celebration of Aviation Partnerships.'
The areas represented were: agencies, private and commercial airlines and air operators, supporting partners, retirees, and a special category of posthumous recognition. Earlier that day, an Aviation Partnership Awards & Celebration Luncheon was held at Baha Mar resort on Cable Beach.
“I am extremely honored to serve as Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation during such a significant period in our national development,"said the Hon. Chester Cooper in his keynote address of the ceremonies.
He recognized the Governor-General as “ranking high among the living legends in our country," notingthat her legacy of supporting the development of people continues to loom large.
DPM Cooper observed that in a post-pandemic era, the country is experiencing record-shattering air and sea arrivals, witnessing the renaissance of the Family Islands through airport infrastructural development, and maintaining a high standard of aviation regulatory compliance, as affirmed by international bodies.
“We have developed new talent pipelines, while honoring the past contributions of persons who all make us proud to be called Bahamians,” he said. “We have also implemented the historic Bahamas National Aviation Strategic Plan, that serves as a flight plan to transform aviation into the next decade.”
DPM Cooper continues to espouse the view that “Aviation is the oxygen” that fuels the country’s major lifeblood. And, “therefore the interdependence between Tourism, Investments and Aviation as our main economic drivers should never be under-emphasized.”
He said that it is for this reason that he continues to recognize and applaud the thousands of hardworking team members who go above and beyond in their national contributions to the aviation ecosystem.
“These are the people who we have come to honor this evening, in this first-ever Aviation Awards Recognition Ceremony,” he said.
The Government of The Bahamas is cognizant of the role its partners play in executing the mandate to transform this sector.
“Aviation facilitates tourism, trade, connectivity, generates economic growth, provides jobs, improves living standards, alleviates poverty, provides a lifeline for remote communities and enables a rapid response when disasters occur. They achieve this through intentional partnerships,” he said.
Aviation week also saw the hosting over 400 top-level aviation professionals from across Latin America and the Caribbean, as part of the Association of Latin American & Caribbean Leaders Forum (ALTA).
“I commend the incredible work of the Department of Aviation and all of its respective Agencies and sincerely thank them for their contributions” said DPM Cooper.
Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism Dr. Kenneth Romer also congratulated the honourees for their contribution to aviation, and noted that it represented one of the high moments of his career.
“Sitting among us are the persons who gave me my first summer job in Air Traffic, who allowed me to pilot a plane for the first time, who mentored me as an airline COO, or exposed me to aviation best practices and regulations.
“Sitting here are persons who taught the business of aviation and demonstrated tenacity, integrity and have allowed me to stand on their shoulders to appear tall in my role as the chief servant in this Aviation Industry,” said Dr. Romer.
He referred to them as “the industry giants” who continue to contribute to the growth and development of the country’s aviation space.
(BIS Photos/Anthon Thompson)
