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This year, BermudAir celebrates its first anniversary, a key milestone in its ambitious journey. Launched in just eight months, the airline swiftly expanded to seven routes, overcoming challenges to become Bermuda's first commercial service provider. Filling a market gap, BermudAir redefines passenger service, blending convenience with unique-to-Bermuda service. We share insights from Founder and CEO Adam Scott on their first year, rapid growth, and the key partnerships that made it possible.
What inspired you to start BermudAir?
Adam: BermudAir was really founded out of a love for the island. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time here, visiting and with friends, and we saw a gap in the market—an opportunity to provide year-round, exceptional service for both inbound and outbound markets. It was simply about seeing that gap and wanting to fill it with something above and beyond what other airlines provided.
Have you worked with airlines before?
Adam: Yeah, I’ve been involved in another airline project. Historically, I've travelled a lot, especially to Bermuda, and I got frustrated with the experiences we had with other airlines. It always seemed like a race to the bottom. We wanted to provide a different experience—something great where we have people who smile at their customers and proper service on board and on the ground. That’s something that’s been missing in aviation for quite some time.
What were some of your frustrations with other airlines?
Adam: Several things. First, when you travel through big airports, it’s always a bit of a rat race. Our plan was to make use of excellent airports such as Westchester or Fort Lauderdale, rather than travelling to Miami or using the international terminal in Boston instead of domestic terminals. The experience on the ground, the experience in the aircraft itself—it’s really about having a crew that wants to be there, a team that's engaged and happy. That’s something that I think has been missing in aviation for quite some time.
It’s about having a team that’s happy to be there and being more hospitable, like what you’d experience in a nice hotel, rather than being charged for every single part of your journey. That’s what we wanted to bring back—the glory of travel.
Could you explain the business and economy class mix offerings?
Adam: Absolutely. We’ve developed a beautiful business-class product, but it’s been delayed—not due to us. But we’re excited about it being on our aircraft eventually. In the meantime, we wanted to differentiate ourselves with our existing aircraft. We have a two-by-two configuration, so there is no middle seat issue, which travellers often dislike. We offer a greater pitch—32 inches in economy and 34 in business class. And in business class, we sell it like a Euro business product, where we only sell one of the two seats. It’s really a more elevated service than what you’d expect with a traditional carrier.
How did you manage to launch the airline in eight months?
Adam: I have to say, it was thanks to an amazing team. We officially launched in January last year, and by September 1st, 2023, we had everything in place to start services—just under nine months. That was fantastic. We set things up to be nimble and adaptable, allowing us to make rapid changes.
Everything we've done since has also been rapid succession. For example, today, we fly to seven markets, including a new international market in Canada, where I'm originally from. We also have Toronto and Halifax. We've also achieved other great things, like TSA Pre-Approval, which we did in record time. That's all thanks to the exceptional work of the team we've put together here.
Was a quick launch part of your business strategy?
Adam: Definitely. You always want to launch a business as quickly as possible, especially for investors and bankers. But in Bermuda, we also saw gaps that needed to be filled, particularly outside the summer months. There was a real issue with the drop in service during the off-season, affecting both residents who wanted to travel for personal and business reasons and the attractiveness of Bermuda as a destination. We wanted to be out in the market quickly to fill that gap and provide reliable, year-round service.
How important are your partners in your success?
Adam: Our relationship with our partners was critical. Our team went through a process of looking at potential partners. Many people told us it would be impossible—“You’re never going to get your AOC that quickly, you’re never going to get your systems set up, or your aircraft ready.” But our team persevered, and our partners, including Ink, Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority, and Azorra, all came together and moved at what felt like lightning speed to help us achieve this. Everyone realised we were serious about launching quickly, effectively, and properly, and they supported us fully.
How do you view your relationship with Ink?
Adam: It’s been great. Some of our team already had experience with Ink from setting up other airlines. It became clear they were the best choice—not just for the launch but also for our long-term growth. They’ve been fantastic, giving us the focused attention we needed and aligning with our speed and vision.
What role does technology play in your strategy?
Adam: Technology is a major component. We started from scratch, which allowed us to choose the best partners and systems without being bogged down by legacy issues. For example, we developed our mobile app technology in just a few weeks. Technology helps us be more efficient and improves the customer experience. We’re looking to leverage new technologies to stay ahead and enhance both the customer journey and the airline overall.
What’s next for BermudAir?
Adam: We’re rapidly evolving and increasing the number of passengers we fly. We’re becoming an integral part of the community, and in the future, I see us having more frequencies in key markets and exploring new ones in the US and Canada. There’s a real opportunity to solidify our position as the carrier of choice to and from Bermuda, building strong connections with the US, Canada, and other markets further afield.
Credit: BermudAir
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