US freight specialist and charter operator, National Airlines is to debut in the scheduled passenger market and has selected Orlando Sanford International Airport as its initial operating base serving five cities across North America with domestic links within the US and international services to Canada.
The new passenger operation will launch in December 2015 and will grow to a five destination network by the middle of January 2016. All the flights will be operated using a 184-seat Boeing 757-200 and National has partnered with Tourico Holidays to package flights with hotels, rental cars, cruises, activities, vacation homes and more alongside its seat-only offering.
The business will initially launch with a twice weekly link to next year’s Routes Americas host city of San Juan in Puerto Rico from December 16, 2015; followed just a day later by the start of a twice weekly link to Windsor in Ontario, Canada. Las Vegas –also served twice weekly - will be added to the network from December 27, 2015, while twice weekly flights to St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada will follow from January 18, 2016 and January 20, 2016, respectively.
After investigating numerous options, National Airlines said it selected Orlando Sanford “because of its exceptional service, proximity to local attractions, and the relatively smaller crowds and shorter lines that will minimize time in the airport, leaving guests more time to enjoy all that Florida has to offer”.
National has developed a product different from the general industry move to no-frills operations which it says is unlike today's normal “cattle-car approach”. The carrier will offer a free checked bag, free reserved seating and a free meal as part of standard pricing as it focuses on delivering exceptional value and price in a comfortable and professional manner. “We think travelers will agree. Just give us the opportunity to introduce you to our ‘Inclusive Fares, Exclusive Service,’ approach to air travel,” said Dennis Daley, Manager of Network Planning and Strategy, National Airlines.
National’s non-stop services into Orlando Sanford International Airport will offer an alternative flight option into Central Florida’s theme parks, beaches and cruises and will improve new travel options.
"The convenience of Orlando Sanford combined with the domestic and international routes offered by National are a winning combination for the Airport, the airline and the traveling public. We fully anticipate that all five destinations will prove to be very popular travel choices,” said Diane Crews, President, Orlando Sanford International Airport.
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