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This article is about the Bahamas-based Airline. For the former California-based airline that operated between 1925 and 1987, see Western Airlines. For the defunct Washington state-based airline that operated in 2007, see Western (airline).
Western Air
Western Air logo
IATA ICAO Call sign
WU WST WESTERN
Founded2000
Commenced operations2001
Operating basesGrand Bahama International Airport, Grand Bahama Island
HubsGrand Bahama International Airport, Lynden Pindling International Airport
Fleet size9
Destinations9
HeadquartersGrand Bahama International Airport
Key people
  • Rex Rolle (Chairman)
  • Shandrice Rolle (VP, COO)
  • Sherrexcia Rolle (President, CEO and General Counsel; formerly VP of Operations and General Counsel)
Total equityEst. $180 Million+ USD
Employees241
Websitewesternairbahamas.com

Western Air is a commercial airline based in the Bahamas offering daily flights throughout the islands of The Bahamas and South Florida. Western Air is a privately owned airline, established in 2000,[1] headquartered at the San Andros Airport on Andros Island.[2] The airline operates its own passenger terminal and full service maintenance facility at the Grand Bahama International Airport. Western Air's uniformed fleet of EMB145 50-seater jets with one-class cabins are heavily utilized by Bahamian locals and tourists to travel between the city of Nassau and the outer islands, such as Bimini, Exuma, Cat Island, Andros, Abaco and Grand Bahama. Western Air launched its first US route, between Nassau and Fort Lauderdale, Florida in May 2022.[3]

Western Air EMB145 Jet at Lynden Pindling International Airport, Nassau, Bahamas
The newest fleet addition, a former United Express Embraer ERJ-145XR

History

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The airline was founded in 2000 by the husband-and-wife duo, Capt. Rex J. Rolle and Shandrice Woodside-Rolle by operating Fairchild Metro IIIs on one route, Nassau and San Andros. The airline's consistency and fast efficiency resulted in its service being requested by other islands. [4] Rolle was president and CEO from the inception of the airline to 2023 and is now chairman. Woodside-Rolle is vice president and COO. Their daughter Rexy Rolle is an aviation and corporate attorney and was vice president of operations and general counsel for nine years.[5][6][7] Rexy Rolle was named the first woman president and CEO of Western Air in January 2024.[8]

Rexy Rolle in New York City, 2018

Western Air's fleet increased with the publicized multi-aircraft deal for EMB 145s jets in 2018. The airline acquired additional jets in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 to assist with growing airlift demands.[9]

Destinations

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Country City Airport Hub
 The Bahamas Freeport Grand Bahama International Airport Yes
Great Exuma Exuma International Airport No
Marsh Harbour Marsh Harbour Airport No
Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport Yes
Cat Island New Bight Airport No
South Andros Congo Town Airport No
Nicholls Town San Andros Airport No
South Bimini South Bimini Airport No
 United States Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport No

Hubs

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Western Air has two major hubs inclusive of private passenger terminals, full service aircraft maintenance facilities and corporate offices located at San Andros Airport and the[10] second hub at Grand Bahama International Airport, which serves as its northern hub.[11]

As of September 5, 2015, Western Air unveiled its new $6 million passenger terminal and maintenance facility in Freeport, Bahamas.[12][13] The Freeport passenger terminal was severely damaged by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. The passenger terminal was rebuilt and reopened in August 2023.[14]

Fleet

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Historic
Aircraft Total Replaced by
Fairchild Metro III 7 The Saab 340
Saab 340 14 The E145 jets
Current
Aircraft In Service Orders Seats
Embraer ERJ 145LR 7 0 50
Embraer ERJ 145XR 0 2

References

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  1. ^ "Our Airline". www.westernairbahamas.com. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  2. ^ "Our Facilities". www.westernairbahamas.com. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  3. ^ McKenzie, Natario (2022-04-19). "UP AND AWAY: Western Air to launch first U.S. route in May with Nassau-Ft Lauderdale service". Eye Witness News.
  4. ^ Wolfsteller, Pilar (2022-05-20). "How Western Air's Sherrexcia Rolle helps the family business fly". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  5. ^ Wilson, Kimberly (2024-01-08). "Meet 29 Year Old Woman Running Black-Owned Airline Bahamas". Essence.
  6. ^ Taylor, DeAnna (2018-12-11). "Meet Rexy Rolle, The 30-Year-Old Face Of Black-Owned Airline Western Air". Travel Noire. Retrieved 2021-07-31.
  7. ^ Moss, Shavaughn (2021-03-08). "'Rexy' Rolle". The Nassau Guardian. Retrieved 2021-07-31.
  8. ^ Dorisca, Samantha (2024-01-08). "Sherrexcia 'Rexy' Rolle Has Been Named President And CEO Of Family-Owned Western Air, Succeeding Her Father, Captain Rex Rolle". AfroTech – via Yahoo! Finance.
  9. ^ McKenzie, Natario (2018-11-21). "Western Air's Jet Growth Realised". www.tribune242.com. Retrieved 2021-09-14.
  10. ^ "New Western Air terminal takes shape on Grand Bahama". www.bahamaislandsinfo.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
  11. ^ "Western Air Opens 4M Terminal". BahamasLocal.com. 2012-10-29.
  12. ^ Maycock, Denise. "Western air unveils $6m terminal in Freeport". www.tribune242.com. Retrieved 2015-09-24.
  13. ^ "Local Investors Creating Economic Impact for Grand Bahama". www.thebahamasweekly.com. 2015-09-18. Retrieved 2015-09-24.
  14. ^ Walkin, Barbara (2023-10-12) [2023-09-12]. "Western Air's new terminal gets an A+". The Nassau Guardian.
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