By Michael Baginski/ Adam Scott is in Toronto and complaining about the cold. At the same time, the founder and CEO of BermudAir – a Canadian himself – couldn’t be happier because he knows “that’s when we start booking (to go to places like Bermuda).”
Even without the cold, Scott is flying high these days with his airline serving Bermuda five times a week from Toronto (with plans to go six times next year), two or three times weekly from Halifax, and Montreal launched earlier this year with twice weekly flights and “going from strength to strength.”
And there are potentially more Canadian gateways on the carrier’s flight board, he hints, revealing only that they would be “the obvious ones you would expect” (in eastern Canada) – and ones that currently do not offer direct service.
He further acknowledges, “We’re benefitting very nicely from Canadians not wanting to travel to the United States (right now).”
In the bigger picture, Scott says that there are lot of Commonwealth connections between Canada and Bermuda, from families to business and schooling, and, of course, a long of history of holiday travel by Canadians who have been to Bermuda before “and have great memories.”
For those who haven’t been, he notes that, at around two hours flight time from its three Canadian gateways, “Bermuda truly is the closest group of palm trees that you can go and visit.”
And with beautiful beaches and coral reefs, rich history, colourful architecture, and friendly people, it’s a “natural spot for us (Canadians),” he says.
To help Canadians make the most of their visit, Scott points out that BermudAir Holidays works with local hotels to curate attractive package rates and offers.
A similar opportunity exists for the soon-to-launch subsidiary AnguillAir, which, along with along with BermudAir. will serve some U.S. cities on the eastern seaboard, making Anguilla the company’s second destination.
Scott admits that BermudAir, which launched its Toronto and Halifax service in May, 2024, has so far been “a little light” on marketing, but says, “We’re trying to correct that and improve it so that we can really get out the word out that there’s a great way to get to paradise – and it’s just over a couple of hours from here.”
The carrier competes with Air Canada out of Toronto, but also US carriers with connections. But by offering year-round non-stop service compared to the former, and point-to-point service in contrast to the latter, Scotts believes, “we punch above our weight.”
And as Bermuda’s flag carrier, he notes that guests get an authentic Bermudian experience the moment they step on the plane. From being served the island’s famed Dark and Stormy (dark rum and ginger beer) national cocktail to “Get this! Our staff smile at our passengers,” he laughs.
For travel advisors, BermudAir just launched on Amadeus, joining Sabre; and next up, Travelport.
Scott concludes, “We’re a small, nimble, agile airline that has a great product with our holidays platform as well, and we are keen to work with our industry partners as much as possible and be creative to make any relationships we can develop be as mutually beneficial as possible.”
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