A388 From Netherlands Antilles, joined May 2001, 9077 posts, RR: 13 Posted (5 years 6 months 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 2102 times:
Hi,
I have heard rumors about an airline planning to start low cost operations from Jamaica. However, I can't find more info on this. Can anyone confirm this? Which airline is interested in starting low cost operations from Jamaica and where are they planning to fly too (regional or South America too)? Any additional information is very much appreciated.
Speedbird2263 From Jamaica, joined Jul 2006, 454 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (5 years 6 months 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 2021 times:
That's most definately news to me if true however I highly doubt it. For a start-up of any kind to compete with JM based in Jamaica it would really have to have a passenger base larger than the approx. 3 million folks that call Jamaica home. Not saying its' impossibly however highly unlikely.
The competition from the National Airline along with the International legacies i.e AA, DL, US and already established LCC's such as NK and UsAir 3000 would make it out to be a bloodbath for market share. What would most likely happen first is a regional airline which I definately see having the chance to prosper as their service if done right would be more of a complement to the mainline carriers. Air Jamaica Express was the primary example of such an operation until they company ended operations and left the market to private charters and the second player in the market, International Airlink.
Air Jamaica express operated Dash 8-100's/200's and did so serving the The Bahamas, Cuba, the two main airports KIN and MBJ, Boscobel in St. Mary, Negril and Ken Jones in Port Antonio. After Air Jamaica Express left the market International Airlink took up that slack operating a BE1900D along with a Grand Caravan and a C206. A friend of mine had informed me awhile back that the 1900 was offered to them for direct acquisition or return by the Lessor as they (lessor) were going out of business an the return option was chosen due to unavailable capital for the outright acquisition. Last I heard plans are to acquire another BE1900D, when Im not quite certain.
Now the domestic route network I believe is still an under-developed market in that it has the potential to be a very lucrative market if a good business plan and route structure is put in place to complement the mainline carriers. There recently have been talks of extending the runway at Ken Jones in Port Antonio to facilitate increased air lift as well as night landings, so that goes to show the potential that exists.
However to return to the idea of an LCC in Jamaica, the only way that would work is by operating mostly domestic flights and consolidation with the current player in the domestic market. International markets such as South/Central America would best be served by JM or other carriers.
Beeweel15 From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 1693 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (5 years 6 months 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 2019 times:
I have heard rumors about an airline planning to start low cost operations from Jamaica. However, I can't find more info on this. Can anyone confirm this? Which airline is interested in starting low cost operations from Jamaica and where are they planning to fly too (regional or South America too)? Any additional information is very much appreciated.
Thanks,
A388
Well lets start an airline. I do have a plan and know other folks who do want to participate maybe we can make it work and Buy BW and JM and show them that WEST INDIANS CAN RUN THEIR OWN AIRLINE.
A388 From Netherlands Antilles, joined May 2001, 9077 posts, RR: 13 Reply 3, posted (5 years 6 months 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 1979 times:
Thanks for the reactions. How about VS? They seem to be working more closely with JM now with the codeshares on their flights. Isn't VS also one of the potential airlines who wants to invest in JM? EK is also in the rumor mill about investment in JM. Any additional info on these airlines?
2travel2know From Panama, joined Apr 2005, 3580 posts, RR: 4 Reply 4, posted (5 years 6 months 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 1923 times:
A Jamaican LCC? Gimme a second to grasp that.
Well, flying from the cheapest airport on the island, my guess KIN, to the biggest markets for Jamaica, South Florida, NYC tri-state area and Metro Toronto. Should I dare to even add Chicago and Central Florida to Jamaica major O/D markets?.
PBI or RSW for South Florida,
SWF or ISP or ACY for NYC
YHM for Toronto..
MDW or GYY or RFD or MKE for Chicago
SFB for Central Florida.
Other destinations?? IAH/HOU, HAV, GCM, POS, BGI, SDQ and PTY?
Sounds like a pipe-dream for me, but knowing how LCC have been successful on other regions, I wouldn't doom it before it ever starts.
Whatever the outcome of this rumor, I can bet, that any Jamaica LCC will encouter major excess baggage problems with its passengers.. hopefuly as mild as happens on NK..
A388 From Netherlands Antilles, joined May 2001, 9077 posts, RR: 13 Reply 5, posted (5 years 6 months 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 1810 times:
I see the replies are more focussed on the Jamaican market but that is not enturely what I meant. What I am interested in is whether a any airline is planning to start up a low cost airline to connect North America with the Caribbean and maybe even South America. I found below link coming directly from the website of Virgin Atlantic:
This is a press release from Nov. 15th. When reading the article it states that Virgin Atlantic is looking at expansion from Jamaica to other destination in the region. To what extend is VS interested in starting up operations from Jamaica to cater our region or further to South America?
Sponsor Message: 
From Netherlands Antilles, joined May 2001, 9077 posts, 
From Jamaica, joined Jul 2006, 454 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 1693 posts, 
From Panama, joined Apr 2005, 3580 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
