Today in History: May 18

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history, in 1981, after operations commenced on July 20th, 1968, International Air Bahama Airlines ceased its operations. Founded as Air Bahama in 1966 by Major Norman Rickets, Brigadier General Od Lassiter and Mr. Tommie Thompson.

Airways magazine notes the trio decided to set up an airline after then Prime Minister Lynden Pindling, moved to further develop the country’s tourism industry.

Scheduled flights were offered from Nassau (NAS) to Luxembourg (LUX) which offered a useful and affordable entry point for United States military personnel’s families stationed in neighbouring Germany.

Then in 1997, The Bahamas government severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan. The Associated Press reporting at the time that Taiwan’s decision followed The Bahamas’ decision to establish ties with rival China.

Bahamas Foreign Affairs Minister Janet Bostwick said in a statement the decision to switch diplomatic links with China was made “after careful and deliberate consideration.″

On May 18th 2012, the US State Department issued a report on The Bahamas’ crime problem and increased its threat level of crime in the country from high to critical, particularly over crimes against tourists. The government expressed disappointment over the report with then National Security Minister Dr. Bernanrd Nottage saying at the time that government would implement a dynamic approach to stem the crime problem it inherited. The report highlighted a 35% increase in murders in just one year and said common daily activities could directly impact personal security.

May 18th 2015 saw the commemoration of the Battle of Nassau at Fort Montagu.

In 2021 Atlantis – the country’s largest private sector employer laid of 700 employees. It was the second wave of layoffs since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

And, finally on this day in 2022, stakeholders at Lynden Pindling iInternational Airport conducted a full-scale emergency exercise. This as local and international aviation regulations require airports to establish an emergency plan commensurate with the aircraft operations and other activities conducted at the airport.