NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The month of December proved to be a mixed bag of passenger traffic trends at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA), with notable gains in some segments and slight declines in others according to data released by its operator.
According to the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD), domestic passenger traffic at LPIA experienced a slight downturn, dropping by 3.5 percent year-over-year. In December 2023, the airport welcomed 68,746 domestic passengers, but that number fell to 66,332 in December 2024.
Similarly, passenger traffic from the United States, which usually sees a surge during the Christmas period, also experienced a modest decline. In December 2023, LPIA recorded 241,022 US passengers, but in December 2024, that figure decreased to 237,240, reflecting a 1.6 percent drop. Despite the decrease, the US remains a critical source of international visitors to The Bahamas, particularly during the holiday season.
In contrast, international (non-US) passenger traffic showed a marked improvement. December 2024 saw a 7.6 percent increase in international arrivals, with 48,196 passengers recorded, compared to 44,782 in December 2023.
In early December, Tourism Director General Latia Duncombe noted that despite some challenges earlier last year, the country’s important stopover arrival segment was “holding firm,” with 1.56 million visitors between January and October. During a Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board’s annual general meeting, she noted that the Bahamas had welcomed 9.1 million visitors. She also highlighted that 2019 had been a banner year for the country, which, despite the impact of Hurricane Dorian—primarily on Abaco and Grand Bahama—still welcomed 7.2 million visitors, a record at the time. That record was surpassed in 2023, with 9.65 million visitors.
Loading ...
