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Air Access to Puerto Rico and Caribbean Still Going Strong

Written by thomas · Filed Under Commercial 

September 4, 2008

thomas

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 /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 http://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.

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