Makers Air
  • Individual Seats
    Travelers
    Adults
    Children (above 24 months old)
    *Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult passenger. Infant passengers under 24 months of age at time of travel may travel as a lap baby. Fare for lap baby will be taxes only. If you will be traveling with an infant under 24 months of age at time of travel, please contact us!
  • Day Trips

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  • Private Charter

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  • Freight Services

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The Makers Air Difference

Our connection to paradise runs as deep as the Atlantic. Beginning at a young Staniel Cay, Joe Hocher capitalized upon his vision to breathe the indescribable magic of island life to those who sought the luxury of true escape. What resulted from this ambitious feat of passion became a family owned, and strategically grown, premiere boutique airline that believes in the value of passenger experience and safety.

Makers Air understands the destination is not your only adventure - it’s also the exciting journey to get there. From the time a departure is scheduled to your return home, Makers Air thoughtfully implements detailed customer service to make the journey equally as memorable as the destination.

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1970s

Where it all begins.

Joe Hocher (co-founder and owner of the Staniel Cay Yacht Club) started flying a Piper Cherokee Six to bring supplies into Staniel Cay from Nassau and Fort Lauderdale.

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1981

Watermakers, Inc.

Joe Hocher founded Watermakers, Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, a manufacturing company dedicated to the design, manufacture, and service of reverse osmosis desalination equipment.

As Joe flew around the islands, installing and servicing his desalinization equipment and continued flying supplies into Staniel Cay he affectionally became known as Watermakers Air.

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2002

Watermakers Air

In response to demand, Watermakers Air was officially formed and began operating as a 135 charter for the specific purpose of flying passengers, as well as freight and supplies. Our first aircraft was a single, Britten Norman Islander and our employees consisted of Joe and David Hocher plus the pilot. The only destination was Staniel Cay and the “lobby” consisted of folding chairs in a small hangar.

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2005

Watermakers Air acquires its first Cessna Grand Caravan

New growth equals a greater need for larger aircraft. The legendary capacity and reliability of the caravan made it an ideal fit for operation.

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Today

Makers Air

Now named as Makers Air, we’ve taken our brand promise to the next level by creating a tailored passenger experience that is focused on customer service and connecting travelers with the Out Islands of The Bahamas.

Makers Air has grown to a family of 30+ employees with dedicated Charter, Freight, and in-house Maintenance Departments, and a fleet consisting of 4 Cessna Grand Caravans.

The Makers Air Difference

Our connection to paradise runs as deep as the Atlantic. Beginning at a young Staniel Cay, Joe Hocher capitalized upon his vision to breathe the indescribable magic of island life to those who sought the luxury of true escape. What resulted from this ambitious feat of passion became a family owned, and strategically grown, premiere boutique airline that believes in the value of passenger experience and safety.

Makers Air understands the destination is not your only adventure - it’s also the exciting journey to get there. From the time a departure is scheduled to your return home, Makers Air thoughtfully implements detailed customer service to make the journey equally as memorable as the destination.

transparent
1970s

Where it all begins.

Joe Hocher (co-founder and owner of the Staniel Cay Yacht Club) started flying a Piper Cherokee Six to bring supplies into Staniel Cay from Nassau and Fort Lauderdale.

transparent
1981

Watermakers, Inc.

Joe Hocher founded Watermakers, Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, a manufacturing company dedicated to the design, manufacture, and service of reverse osmosis desalination equipment.

As Joe flew around the islands, installing and servicing his desalinization equipment and continued flying supplies into Staniel Cay he affectionally became known as Watermakers Air.

transparent
2002

Watermakers Air

In response to demand, Watermakers Air was officially formed and began operating as a 135 charter for the specific purpose of flying passengers, as well as freight and supplies. Our first aircraft was a single, Britten Norman Islander and our employees consisted of Joe and David Hocher plus the pilot. The only destination was Staniel Cay and the “lobby” consisted of folding chairs in a small hangar.

2005

Watermakers Air acquires its first Cessna Grand Caravan

New growth equals a greater need for larger aircraft. The legendary capacity and reliability of the caravan made it an ideal fit for operation.

transparent
Today

Makers Air

Now named as Makers Air, we’ve taken our brand promise to the next level by creating a tailored passenger experience that is focused on customer service and connecting travelers with the Out Islands of The Bahamas.

Makers Air has grown to a family of 30+ employees with dedicated Charter, Freight, and in-house Maintenance Departments, and a fleet consisting of 4 Cessna Grand Caravans.

The Team

Makers Air propels the experience of flight by bringing back what it means to fly – the romance of abandon and discovery. The togetherness of family, of the great escape, of time fading into crystal blue waters.

David Hocher David Hocher
PRESIDENT & OWNER

David Hocher

Raised on Staniel Cay in the Bahamas, David Hocher is President and CEO of Makers Air, strategically developing the airline to convey his passion for travel, family, and the Bahamas. Hocher sits on the Board of Directors for the Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board, and the Marina Operators of the Bahamas, as well as acting as COO of Staniel Cay Yacht Club in the Exumas, and CEO of Watermakers Inc.

Harry Hill Harry Hill
DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE

Harry Hill

Harry Hill Is the Director of Maintenance and has been with Makers Air since 2010. Harry has been in the aviation industry for over 50 years, holds an FAA Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic License and is an IA. He oversees and manages the maintenance department and makes vital decisions to ensure the safety and reliability of our aircraft.

Nick Sonnenberg Nick Sonnenberg
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Nick Sonnenberg

Nicholas Sonnenberg has been an integral part of Makers Air since 2011. He joined the company as the Chief Pilot and currently holds the position of Director of Flight Operations and Company Check Airman. Nicholas is an FAA rated Airline Transport Pilot, has over 10,000 hours of flight experience and more than 10 years in the aviation industry.

Stephen Bryant Stephen Bryant
CHIEF PILOT

Stephen Bryant

Stephen Bryant is Makers Air's Chief Pilot and joined the team in 2015 as a Captain. He manages a growing staff of pilots, directs all training activities and is a company Flight Instructor and Check Airman. Stephen is an FAA rated Airline Transport Pilot with over 7,000 hours of flight experience, holds an A&P mechanic license and has over 10 years in the aviation industry.

Sarah Swainson Sarah Swainson
PRIVATE CHARTERS & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Sarah Swainson

Swainson’s over 20-year background in luxury hospitality greatly complements her role as Private Charter Coordinator and Director of New Business. Her mission is to always create memorable experiences in beautiful destinations for passengers, lending her expertise in the luxury space to the modern day traveller. Additionally, she serves on the Exuma Chamber of Commerce.

Jennifer Valencia Jennifer Valencia
GENERAL MANAGER

Jennifer Valencia

As General Manager, she oversees daily operations of all departments to ensure Makers Air operates at its highest potential. Customer service is of key importance to Valencia — with a hand in all facets of Makers Air, she oversees the company to continuously exceed passenger expectations on a daily basis.

Team
Team
Team
The Makers Family

The Makers Family

We work as a collective to ensure the success of every adventure, every destination made. A team who still gets excited with every take off and every passenger we meet, Makers Air welcomes you to our family.

Our Fleet

Makers Air propels the experience of flight by bringing back what it means to fly – the romance of abandon and discovery. The togetherness of family, of the great escape, of time fading into crystal blue waters.

  • WM WM
    CESSNA GRAND CARAVAN

    WM

    3 Individual Passenger Seats
    3 Benches that seat 2 Passengers each

  • JH JH
    CESSNA GRAND CARAVAN

    JH

    7 Individual Passenger Seats
    1 Bench that seats 2 Passengers

  • CH CH
    CESSNA GRAND CARAVAN

    CH

    7 Individual Passenger Seats
    1 Bench that seats 2 Passengers

  • AH AH
    CESSNA GRAND CARAVAN

    AH

    6 Executive Seats or VLS Seats
    1 Divan Seat for two
    2 Executive tables

    Take a Virtual Tour
  • WM WM
    CESSNA GRAND CARAVAN

    WM

    3 Individual Passenger Seats
    3 Benches that seat 2 Passengers each

  • JH JH
    CESSNA GRAND CARAVAN

    JH

    7 Individual Passenger Seats
    1 Bench that seats 2 Passengers

  • CH CH
    CESSNA GRAND CARAVAN

    CH

    7 Individual Passenger Seats
    1 Bench that seats 2 Passengers

  • AH AH
    CESSNA GRAND CARAVAN

    AH

    6 Executive Seats or VLS Seats
    1 Divan Seat for two
    2 Executive tables

    Take a Virtual Tour

MAKERS AIR PROUDLY HOLDS A GOLD ARGUS RATING

MAKERS AIR IS PROUDLY HOLDS A GOLD ARGUS RATING

Our Facility

Our state-of-the-art facility sets the tone for your journey, a space that offers the comfort to begin your travel with ease. The Makers Air experience is found in every detail.

Take a Virtual Tour

The Rewards Program

With the Makers Miles Rewards Program, you can now earn miles when you book flights to any of our scheduled destinations and apply these miles towards travel on future Makers Air Flights.

Join Today for Free
Makers Miles
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