Airline debuts flights to island despite travel warning for gang crimes
American Airlines has announced a new route from Miami to the Caribbean, but travelers may find more than the “iconic clear blue water and pink sand” promised by the airline when they arrive.
American Airlines announced their new route from Miami International Airport to Governor’s Harbour in the Bahamas today but failed to mention the recent government warning about crime on the island.
“As Miami’s Hometown Airline, American is proud to provide our customers with an unparalleled network that includes destinations like Governor’s Harbour, with its iconic clear blue water and pink sand beaches,” said Juan Carlos Liscano, American’s Vice President of MIA Hub Operations.
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He added: “We are proud to serve as the gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America, and today we are thrilled to provide our customers access to another beautiful vacation getaway.”
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But passengers boarding the flight to the beautiful holiday destination may not have gathered from the airline’s announcement that US citizens have been warned away from certain parts of the islands due to an explosion of gang violence.
On January 24, the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a Level 2 travel advisory to Americans, suggesting tourists "exercise extreme caution" in some areas of the Bahamas.
The idyllic beaches are what comes for mind when most people think of the Bahamas, not gang crime (Getty Images)Tourists were warned about visiting the eastern portion of New Providence Island and officials urged visitors to be careful traveling at night and urged US citizens to not physically resist when being robbed.
As many as 18 murders have occurred on the island nation since Jan. 1, largely due to gang violence, the alert noted.
"Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas," the warning said. "Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence. "
The U.S. State Department issues travel advisories for every country in the world, with threats to travelers graded into four different levels.
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions. This is the tier given to countries where nothing out of the ordinary is happening, visitors are urged to keep their wits about them but they are at no specific risk in locations of this level.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution. These notices are issued when there is increased political unrest or a minor uptick in crime but nothing that is considered to seriously impact travel to and in the location, visitors are advised to be extra vigilant. For comparison, most of Europe is currently under a Level 2 travel advisory due to terrorism and/or civil unrest.
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel. These notices are posted when there has been significant instability in a country or region. Dangerous levels of crime, large-scale protests and political violence can trigger these types of warnings.
Level 4 – Do Not Travel. These notices are reserved for the most dangerous areas. Currently parts of Ecuador are subject to these notices, following weeks of major civil unrest after the army was called in to combat criminal drug gangs.
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