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Showing posts from May, 2007

Caribbean Net News: Board faults repairs, FAA in 2005 Bahamas-bound plane crash

Caribbean Net News: Board faults repairs, FAA in 2005 Bahamas-bound plane crash : "WASHINGTON, USA (Bloomberg): A seaplane crash near Miami in December 2005 that killed all 20 people on board when the right wing fell off resulted from poor maintenance and faulty oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration, a US safety board said. "

The Nation Newspaper | St Lucia defends position on LIAT flight charges

The Nation Newspaper St Lucia defends position on LIAT flight charges : "CASTRIES, St Lucia – St Lucia has reiterated its decision to seek an alternative to the high cost of airfares charged by the regional airline LIAT, insisting that while it is fair for Caribbean governments to support the airline it must not be done at the expense of the island's tourism industry. 'In addition the airline has introduced some draconian policies, such as asking the public to pay penalty fees for changing flights,' said Tourism Minister Allen Chastanet. "

Air Jamaica to Codeshare with Virgin Atlantic - Airline announces exit from London route - Jamaica Information Service

Air Jamaica to Codeshare with Virgin Atlantic - Airline announces exit from London route - Jamaica Information Service : "The management of Air Jamaica yesterday confirmed that it will discontinue its service to London effective October 28 and will enter into a code share agreement with Virgin Atlantic, in which the Air Jamaica code will be placed on all Virgin Atlantic flights between Jamaica and London Gatwick. Passengers presently ticketed on Air Jamaica for travel after October 28 will be accommodated on Virgin Atlantic at no additional cost."

Jamaica Gleaner News - Air Jamaica sheds pounds - JTB boss says Heathrow route unsustainable - Friday | May 25, 2007

Jamaica Gleaner News - Air Jamaica sheds pounds - JTB boss says Heathrow route unsustainable - Friday May 25, 2007 : "Operating at a loss of US$20 million (J$1.35 billion) per year on the Heathrow, London route has become 'unsustainable' for the national airline, Air Jamaica, said chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), Dennis Morrison. As a result, the airline is reviewing its options with scheduled carriers Virgin Atlantic and British Airways, the JTB chairman admitted yesterday."

Fluctuating regional taxes blamed for high airfares |radiojamaica.com

Radiojamaica.com : "At least one regional leader is asserting that fluctuating regional taxes on airline tickets is one of the factors contributing to high airfares. St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, said the taxes should be considered in the regional debate on the high cost of air travel in the aftermath of the LIAT/Caribbean Star commercial alliance. "

The Nation Newspaper | OUR CARIBBEAN: Eagle resuming regional flight?

The Nation Newspaper OUR CARIBBEAN: Eagle resuming regional flight? : "If the St Lucia government – now enmeshed in domestic party politics over prime ministerial leadership without the ailing Sir John Compton – has its way, American Eagle, a subsidiary of American Airlines, would be engaged in commercial competition by July with island-hopping faithful, LIAT. "

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis|Caribbean Star employees to get separation package

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis : "Caribbean Star is to offer its employees a voluntary separation offer as the airline works towards the 15 June deadline for the finalisation of its merger with LIAT. Tuesday, LIAT and Caribbean Star announced the completion date for the merger, something that Caribbean Star President and CEO William “Skip” Barnette hailed as offering “closure and forward movement” for employees who have been left in limbo since the beginning of the year. "

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis|LIAT/Caribbean Star to complete merger June 15

SUN St.Kitts & Nevis : "Regional carriers LIAT and Caribbean Star will finalise their merger 15 June, officials of the two carriers announced Tuesday. The announcement followed a meeting in Bridgetown which was attended by the leaders of Antigua & Barbuda and Barbados – two of the three shareholder countries – and Sir Allen Stanford, the sole shareholder of Caribbean Star Airlines."

The Nation Newspaper | High air fares a concern for AAA

The Nation Newspaper High air fares a concern for AAA : "Welch said that in April last year the AAA booked a 50-seat charter from Barbados to Guadeloupe for US$10 000 (BDS$20 000). This year, the same charter to Martinique, which is not as far north, to take a connecting flight to the Turks and Caiços Islands cost US$22 800 ($45 600). 'That is an increase of 128 per cent. Last year when there was competition, I was able to go to Caribbean Star and get a competitive rate. The cost of travel has gone up, but not to that extent. Someone has to do something about it.' "

Caribbean this season costs less, still thrilling - The Boston Globe

Caribbean this season costs less, still thrilling - The Boston Globe : "As the weather warms up across the United States, the Caribbean begins to offer its hottest deals, reminding travelers that even in summer the weather is pleasant on the islands and that all the amenities are still there. It's just that the crowds are smaller and the prices are lower."

Caribbean Net News: Anguilla's Minister of Tourism holds preliminary talks with WinAir

Caribbean Net News: Anguilla's Minister of Tourism holds preliminary talks with WinAir : "The figures for tourists traveling between the two islands indicate that there is significant growth and the discontinuation of a regular air service will have far-reaching consequences for travelling to Anguila as a final destination and the linkages with other Caribbean destinations. WinAir has already announced it would be terminating the St Maarten - Anguilla route as of Tuesday, 15 May, 2007. Banks is expected to hold final discussions with WinAir from May 9 to 11, 2007 "

Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) - (Travel Daily News)|US airlines increase flights to Caribbean

Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) - (Travel Daily News) : "American Airlines will offer new service from New York’s JFK International to St. Kitts beginning Nov. 18, 2007. This will be the first from the NY region to St. Kitts. Cayman Airways will operate three weekly flights between the Cayman Islands and New York’s JFK International starting June 24, 2007. Delta Air Lines will launch service from Atlanta, GA to Tobago in December 2007. Funjet will offer weekly Sunday charter service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic from St. Louis, MO between May 20, 2007 and August 2007. JetBlue will launch service to the Dominican Republic with two daily flights from New York (JFK International) to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and nonstop service between Orlando, FL and Ponce, Puerto Rico on May 24, 2007. On June 30, 2007, the carrier will launch nonstop service from Boston, MA to Aruba every Saturday. JetBlue offers new nonstop service between Boston, MA and Bermuda now through Oct.

Cayman Islands - Cay Compass News Online - Sister Islands need airlift

Cayman Islands - Cay Compass News Online - Sister Islands need airlift : "New aircraft that would increase the number of passengers and also allow for direct service from a United States gateway to Cayman Brac would be the best solution, Mr. Kirkconnell said. Cayman Brac gets Cayman Airways 737 jet service four days a week and Cayman Airways Express service seven days a week with the 19–seat turbo–prop Twin Otter aircraft, which also service Little Cayman. “The Twin Otters are the most practical plane to fly to Little Cayman with its current airstrip,” he said. With construction on a new airport on Little Cayman scheduled to commence next January, Mr. Kirkconnell thinks the future should include larger aircraft to service the Sister Islands, like an ATR–50 or a Dash 8, both of which could handle 50 passengers."

Antigua Sun| LIAT gets kudos for CWC performance

Antigua Sun : "According to LIAT CEO Mark Darby, “There were many concerns about whether LIAT and Caribbean Star could handle the excess demand created by CWC. However, with our dedicated staff working around the clock and with our tourism partners, we were able to meet challenges as they arose and contribute to the production of a world class event. LIAT and Caribbean Star were able to put in place in excess of 6,000 additional seats for the March to April period of CWC.” Darby further stated that he “would like to thank the LIAT and Caribbean Star management and staff for going the extra mile to ensure the success of the airlines in this exercise.” "

The Nation Newspaper | Heads should examine LIAT fare structure needs

The Nation Newspaper Heads should examine LIAT fare structure needs : "Is it reasonable for one person to pay $500 from Barbados to St Vincent and the other person $280 on the same flight? Walrond stated that she travelled to Antigua and paid Barbados $834.70 which she considered unreasonable. Her taxes amounted to US$75. LIAT responded by saying if she was travelling in May, her fare for the same journey would have been $467.20, a saving of $367.50. LIAT continued that if you book early, your fare would be cheaper. From experience, let's say, if you had booked with LIAT today to travel on the 13th of the month, you would have to purchase your ticket in 24-hours to get the cheaper rate. You know as well as I do everybody cannot afford to pay that early. "

Chief Minister welcomes American Eagle's new service to the BVI

Chief Minister welcomes American Eagle's new service to the BVI : "Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism Honourable D. Orlando Smith describes as great news American Eagle's announcement on Monday to introduce a new service between the BVI and Antigua starting June 1. This announcement follows two meetings the Chief Minister held with Mr. Ed Criner, President of American Eagle in February and April to lobby for new connecting services between Antigua, St. Maarten and the BVI."