September 3rd Was to Mark End of Many Routes to Puerto Rico and Caribbean; Instead, Air Access to Region Shows Signs of Growth SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Sept. 4
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- On a day that was to mark
the significant reduction of air access from the U.S. mainland to Puerto Rico,
and other destinations in the Caribbean, the region is celebrating the
addition of new flights and the preservation of routes that were slated for
cancellation. Through a series of negotiations and the implementation of an
airline incentive program by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), the
airline industry is once again looking to the Caribbean as a region with
tremendous potential for revenue. For local businesses, especially those
connected with the tourism industry, this is a much-needed vote of confidence.
"The cancellation of these flights was not just an issue for Puerto Rico,
but for the entire the Caribbean," Terestella Gonzalez-Denton, Executive
Director of PRTC said. "As the gateway to the Caribbean, Puerto Rico is a
conduit for travelers visiting other islands. Air access to the region is
especially important to our hotel and cruise industries and the consequences
of limited air access would have had devastating results. However, our work
with the government of Puerto Rico, and the visionary thinking of our partners
in the airline industry, is giving the Caribbean the tools it needs to sustain
the growth we've experienced in the past few years," added Gonzalez-Denton.
In response to the threat of losing vital routes to Puerto Rico, the PRTC,
in association with the government of Puerto Rico, set out to create programs
that would entice airlines to retain and increase their service to the island.
PRTC has also embarked on an aggressive media campaign to sustain demand for
flights to Puerto Rico and remind travelers that the island is still very much
accessible. In addition, a co-op marketing program created by the PRTC will
match every dollar, up to $3 million, that the airline industry spends in the
promotion of travel to Puerto Rico. PRTC continues its negotiations with
airlines to increase seat capacity for primary markets.
New / Reinstated Air Service to Puerto Rico Includes:
-- American Airlines will continue non-stop service from Los Angeles (LAX)
and Baltimore (BWI) to San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU)
-- JetBlue Airways announced that it will add four flights to San Juan
Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) from John F. Kennedy
International Airport (JFK) at the beginning of September 2008. Additionally,
they will add a fifth daily flight from SJU to JFK in November. Two additional
flights (SJU - JFK) will be added in December for a total of seven extra
flights
-- JetBlue will also add two flights per week to San Juan San Juan Luis
Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) from Logan International Airport (BOS)
in Boston. From December 2008-January 2009 the airline will add a second
daily flight between BOS and SJU
-- Additionally, JetBlue will offer new daily nonstop flights between
Orlando's International Airport (MCO) and San Juan Luis Munoz Marin
International Airport beginning in the fall of 2008
-- AirTran Airways began flying between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
International Airport (ATL) and San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International
Airport (SJU) on March 5, 2008
-- AirTran also now offers two nonstop flights between Orlando
International Airport (MCO) and San Juan, Luis Munoz Marin International
Airport (SJU)
-- On December 20, 2008 Air Tran Airways will launch non-stop service from
Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) to San Juan Luis Munoz Marin
Airport (SJU).
In addition to the increase in air access to Puerto Rico, the added
incentive for U.S. travelers is that there is No Passport Required for U.S.
citizens traveling between the U.S. and Puerto Rico. For more information
about Puerto Rico, call (800) 866-7827 or visit www.GoToPuertoRico.com.
About Puerto Rico Tourism Company
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), founded in 1970, is a public
corporation responsible for stimulating, promoting and regulating the
development of the tourism industry. It markets Puerto Rico as a tourism
destination through advertising, public relations and promotional activities;
promotes tourism among local residents; provides visitor orientation and
technical assistance to investors; evaluates tourism facilities and
establishes standards of quality; and regulates and oversees gaming
operations. PRTC has offices and representatives in the U.S. mainland,
Canada, Europe and Latin America.
Contact:
Matthew Frappier
Edelman
(212)819-4802
matthew.frappier@edelman.com
SOURCE The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC)
