Montego Bay, November 25, 2019 – Jamaica – Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says American Airlines will be sending 15 flights into Montego Bay every Saturday, starting December. He said the move represents a record for any single carrier and will ensure that Jamaica’s tourism continues to soar, “moving us closer to achieving the target of five million visitors by 2021”.
Minister Bartlett, who was speaking to JIS News following a welcome reception
for the resumption of American Airlines’ daily service from New York’s John F
Kennedy (JFK) Airport to Montego Bay, on Thursday (November 21), said the
development is a strengthening of the relationship between Jamaica and one of
America’s most prestigious airline carriers.
He noted that American Airlines offers its 200
million customers 6,800 daily flights to more than 365 destinations in 61
countries per year, from its hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los
Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington DC.
“I’d like to say how pleased we are to have American
Airlines as a tourism partner as we seek to grow Jamaica’s tourism. Based
on the airline’s track record of growth and performance, we’re confident that
we can look forward to a sustained and mutually beneficial partnership,” he said.
Mr. Bartlett said he will be having dialogue with
the airport management on how to manage the expected boom in arrivals.
“Weekends
are very strong for Jamaica. We are going to be challenged because that level
of rotation from a singular carrier is going to tax the capacity here, so we
are going to have to look at how we have to improve and expand and to create a
greater level of seamlessness in our operations,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Minister Bartlett noted that while the United
States remains Jamaica’s primary source market, representing more than 60 per
cent of visitor arrivals to the island, the Ministry will be seeking other markets.
“It is always important to spread our wings and
improve on our arrivals. With an aggressive mindset, we are marketing to
Europe, Asia and the Middle East,” he said.
He said that increased flights are expected out of
South American through arrangements with carrier LATAM.
“When LATAM comes on stream, Jamaica will be the
only English-speaking Caribbean country that will have that level of
connectivity from the entire Americas – both North and South,” he noted.
For his part, United States Ambassador to Jamaica, Donald
Tapia, said that the countries have had a great and long history of diplomatic
relations, which includes strong airlift arrangements.
“Today is another representation of the strong ties
between both countries, which will positively impact Jamaica’s tourism and our
largest carrier,” he said.
Contact: Garwin Davis
Release: JIS
Photo Captions:
Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund
Bartlett (right) shares a light moment with United States Ambassador, His
Excellency Donald Tapia. Occasion was a reception to
welcome American Airlines’ daily
nonstop service from New York’s John F Kennedy Airport
to Montego Bay, at the Sangster International Airport on November 21.
Minister of Tourism, Hon.
Edmund Bartlett, addresses business interests and tourism stakeholders at a
reception to welcome American Airlines’ daily nonstop service from New
York’s John F Kennedy Airport to Montego Bay, at the Sangster
International Airport on November 21.
Photos (Garwin Davis)