Six major airports in The Bahamas are served by various international air- lines, including Delta, Carnival Airlines, AOM, British Airways, Air Jamaica, and American Eagle that fly to key destinations in Europe, North and South America and the Caribbean with connections around the globe. Scheduled domestic ser- vices by the national airline, Bahamasair, link the island chain, while also providing scheduled service to Florida. Charter services are available to all parts of the archipelago.
		Telecommunication services in the islands are state-of-the-art. Instan- taneous direct international links are provided through a 100 percent digital switching system. International telex, cellular radio telephone, facsimile, internet access, automatic radio paging and private line services are all available. Additionally, the recent installation of a fiber-optic submarine cable between The Bahamas and Florida will improve and increase the capability for both voice and data communications.
		Twenty-three seaports dot The Bahamas, allowing for regular shipp-ing connections to the Americas and Europe. The ports in Nassau and Freeport are major international transhipment centres servicing both tourism and commerce. Expansion of the Freeport Harbour, a focal point of the 200 square mile Freeport free trade zone, will be completed in 1998, making Freeport a state-of-the-art contaier transhipment terminal.
		In New Providence, The Princess Margaret Hospital provides a wide range of specialist facilities. There are also two smaller private hospitals, Doctors Hospital and Lyford Cay Hospital which also offer specialized state-of-the-art medical treatment. In addition, hospital facilities exist in Freeport and numerous clinics are located throughout the Common-wealth. Resident medical doctors provide health care in the Family Islands.