Initially developed under the working title ‘Sunline’, the long-haul operator is expected to be officially launched next month and is likely to serve a network on leisure markets from Paris Orly, including destinations in Canada, USA, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
The project, led by CAAi, will be delivered in partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and over its 13-month contract period will see the UK CAA support the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Tourism (MTCT) of Suriname in the implementation of a modernised legal and institutional framework for civil aviation.
This Routes Americas edition of our occasional ‘Flashback’ series has been produced by our Airline Route blog to highlight the transition of air services at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, the largest airport in the Caribbean region and gateway to San Juan, Puerto Rico and host of this year’s forum.
The memorandum of understanding, signed on February 16, 2016, allows airlines of each country to operate up to 20 daily scheduled frequencies between the US and Havana and up to ten daily frequencies to any other airport in the country (Camaguey, Cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, Cienfuegos, Holguin, Manzanillo, Matanzas, Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba). It also permits unlimited charter services to and from any point in Cuba in accordance with the regulations of each country.
San Juan is unlike any other Caribbean market because it has significant outbound travel. With an estimated five million Puerto Ricans living on the US mainland, there is a thriving ‘visiting friends and family’ market. Puerto Rico has the most competitive economy in Latin America and the pharmaceutical and aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industries generate substantial outbound traffic. A strong cruise industry means that Puerto Rico benefits from a year-round aviation market with very little seasonal variation.
Puerto Rico’s economy will receive a boost from the aviation industry when its top decision makers gather in San Juan for the ninth Routes Americas air service development forum (February 17-19).
Throughout 2016, associations like IATA are working towards a fairer and improved economy within the region and Peter Cerda, Regional Vice President for Americas at IATA, explained to Routesonline just ahead of this year’s Routes Americas why airlines and governments must work closer together.
One company that has airport investment and management at the heart of its business is Vantage Airport Group. We recently spoke to Lee Lipton, Director of Air Service and Cargo Development, who leads growth of passenger and cargo traffic at eight airports, to discuss the industry and this year’s aviation trends.
A very small number of Zika virus cases have been confirmed in Puerto Rico, host of Routes Americas 2016. We’ve compiled a summary of the latest health advice to reassure delegates travelling to the island this month.
ASM (Airport Strategy and Marketing) and Sabre Airline Solutions have reached a sales and marketing agreement for ASM’s use and promotion of Sabre AirVision® Market Intelligence.
Ahead of this year's Routes Americas forum, Routesonline is providing a snapshot on the leading airlines and airports and most used aircraft types across the region. Here we look closely at the airlines serving South America and highlight the region's top performers.
The team at Routesonline and all Routes and UBM staff would like to wish season's greetings to all our colleagues and friends in the aviation business.
The next big event in the route development calendar is Routes Americas in February. With attention turning to the host island, Puerto Rico, it’s an opportune moment to explore how the local market is performing.
As the Official Carrier for Routes Americas 2016, Copa Airlines are offering a discount on all flights to San Juan, exclusive to Routes Americas delegates.
Ben Baldanza is one of the most respected airline leaders in the Americas and has been charting the growth of Spirit Airlines and its move to an ultra-low-cost operator over an eleven year period having initially joined the business in January 2005 as President and Chief Operating Officer.
Have you wondered what enticed an airline to a certain destination? What the data says about demand on the city pair and connecting markets? What external factors may have influenced the airline in selecting a specific city pair? How this business case differs from others? The "Route Case" at our regional events will seek to provide the answers to these questions and offer additional network development insights all within a single 20 minute meeting slot.
