It has been a busy week in the Caribbean skies to say the least as Southwest Airlines announced that the region, Jamaica specifically, would be the airlines first international destination while Delta made a splash by unveiling plans to fly direct to St. Lucia from New York City and Atlanta.
Here to keep you up to speed, Travel Agent breaks down the busy week of flight news in the Caribbean.
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Southwest Airlines Begins Nonstop Flights to Montego Bay From Atlanta, Baltimore and Orlando
Jamaica welcomed the first nonstop international flight from Southwest Airlines as an inaugural flight from Baltimore/Washington International Airport touched down Tuesday morning at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.
This marks the start of nonstop service from three of Southwest’s major hubs in the U.S. to Montego Bay, Jamaica. The Baltimore/Washington route will operate twice daily from Baltimore Washington International into Montego Bay. The airline will also operate daily service out of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International and Orlando International Airport.
In addition to a Caribbean-themed send off at the Baltimore/Washington International Airport, customers on the inaugural international flight alongside Southwest employees were treated with commemorative beach balls, snorkels and masks. A welcome reception was held at the Sangster International airport to welcome the new flight service. Visit www.southwest.com.
Sunrise Airways Granted Designation to Operate New Flights Between Haiti’s Capital and Kingston
Sunrise Airways recently announced that it has been formally designated by the Haitian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to operate new flights between Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Kingston, Jamaica, an important step forward in its quest to expand its route network throughout the Western Caribbean.
Haiti’s newest homegrown airline, Sunrise Airways inaugurated scheduled passenger service on December 20, 2012. The carrier enjoyed a strong first year in operation, launching both domestic and international routes from Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitien as part of a comprehensive strategy to better connect the Western Caribbean.
Sunrise Airways will deploy 19-seat Jetstream 32 EP aircraft on its new Port-au-Prince- Kingston service, providing ample head- and legroom, plus the added comfort of refurbished cabins and fresh upholstered seating. An official launch date, as well as schedule and pricing information for the new Sunrise Airways flights between Port-au-Prince and Kingston will be announced in the coming weeks. Visit www.SunriseAirways.net.
Delta Set to Launch Direct Flights From New York to St. Lucia
The Saint Lucia Tourist Board recently announced Delta will add non-stop service from New York’s JFK International Airport to St. Lucia’s Hewanorra International Airport (UVF).
Commencing December 20, the weekly service will operate every Saturday throughout the year. The flight marks an expansion in service by Delta to UVF; the airline currently operates nonstop flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Operated using a Boeing 737-800 with capacity for 160 seats, the flight will depart JFK at 8:30 a.m., arriving at UVF at 2:10 p.m. Return flights will depart Saint Lucia at 3:15 p.m., arriving at JFK at 7:07 p.m. Visit www.delta.com and www.stlucianow.com.
And keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com/Caribbean for all of your latest Caribbean news.