Seems that FLL/MCO/BOS-MBJ flights are in the works, as well as additional JFK-MBJ flights. KIN flights aso appear to be selling well from advanced data. This should come as no surprise - those MBJ flights have been selling like gangbusters since the launch. In a lackluster economy like this, it's quite impressive. But then again, it has been said that Caribbean and Northeast-Florida flights are virtually recession-proof.
Thoughts?
JetBluefan1
Most people on a.net hate JetBlue. Get used to it.
GARUDAROD From United States, joined Apr 2000, 1357 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (4 months 3 weeks 5 days ago) and read 1962 times:
According to the Jamaican thread, JetBlue is also talking to the Jamaican
tourist board about flights from LAX to MBJ. These would be their first
International flights out of LA.
Panam330 From United States, joined Mar 2004, 2414 posts, RR: 15 Reply 4, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 1840 times:
Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 1): Caribbean VFR is virtually recession-proof, which is why I would question them launching MCO/BOS-MBJ at this time.
Why question it? Route lower yield connections via MCO/FLL and command a premium for the non-stop. Cities like SYR/RDU/BTV/etc can go via Florida and B6 can gain more O&D pax out of New York. It's not such a bad idea if the flights are as full as they're being made out to be.
Jetbluefan1 From United States, joined Dec 2003, 2594 posts, RR: 20 Reply 5, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 1659 times:
Quoting GARUDAROD (Reply 2): According to the Jamaican thread, JetBlue is also talking to the Jamaican
tourist board about flights from LAX to MBJ. These would be their first
International flights out of LA.
That's very interesting, but the only problem I see is that it's a 2700 mile flight. That flight would be heavily weight restricted.
JetBluefan1
Most people on a.net hate JetBlue. Get used to it.
N202PA From United States, joined Jun 2000, 1381 posts, RR: 6 Reply 6, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 1609 times:
Quoting Jetbluefan1 (Reply 5): Quoting GARUDAROD (Reply 2):
According to the Jamaican thread, JetBlue is also talking to the Jamaican
tourist board about flights from LAX to MBJ. These would be their first
International flights out of LA.
That's very interesting, but the only problem I see is that it's a 2700 mile flight. That flight would be heavily weight restricted.
JetBluefan1
What about a fuel stop or picking up passengers in AUS on the way?
MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 25869 posts, RR: 77 Reply 11, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 1394 times:
Quoting Jetbluefan1 (Reply 5): That's very interesting, but the only problem I see is that it's a
2700 mile flight. That flight would be heavily weight restricted.
Air Jamaica operated LAX-MBJ with an A320 for years with zero problems.
Quoting SurfandSnow (Reply 9): JFK-MBJ is the best route in JetBlue history? I'm a bit shocked, but good to hear things are working out for the airline.
Marketing hype. They can say whatever they want. No doubt its a successful launch, since they are bragging about it, but the statements were a little overboard. Every airline boasts about how "successful" new routes are going.
Hiflyer From United States, joined Nov 2004, 1622 posts, RR: 6 Reply 12, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 1362 times:
So...it is game on between JetBlue and Spirit's owners recent agreement to purchase Air Jamaica. That dovetails nicely with JetBlue's move to Terminal 3 at KFLL to gain better access to Customs and be basically on top of Spirit.
VirginFlyer From Australia, joined Sep 2000, 4273 posts, RR: 54 Reply 13, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 1260 times:
Quoting Hiflyer (Reply 12): Spirit's owners recent agreement to purchase Air Jamaica.
Don't forget that at this stage, it is just a rumoured agreement - hasn't been any official announcement and by all accounts the agreement has yet to be committed to by the GOJ - have a look at Divestment Deadline2..Jamaican Thread #16 (NK/JM News Here) (by HummingBird Jun 29 2009 in Civil Aviation) for more info...
V/F
Dream no small dream; it lacks magic. Dream large. Then make the dream real. - Donald Douglas Snr
:
"The Gleaner has learnt that Indigo Partners and Oaktree Capital, who are reportedly the owners of Spirit Airlines, have bought the country's national carrier, Air Jamaica.
It is further understood that Air Jamaica's name might be changed to Spirit of Jamaica.
Sources close to the negotiations are tight-lipped, but they have confirmed that Trinidadian-owned Caribbean Airlines did not win the bid to take over the Jamaican airline.
The news comes days after the Privatisation committee, which has been managing the task of privatising Air Jamaica, submitted its recommendation to Senator Don Wehby, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance."
AirJamaica From Jamaica, joined Aug 2006, 1207 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 968 times:
Quoting Hiflyer (Reply 15): "The Gleaner has learnt that Indigo Partners and Oaktree Capital, who are reportedly the owners of Spirit Airlines, have bought the country's national carrier, Air Jamaica.
A Letter From Mr. Lalor regarding the JM Sale..................
Air Jamaica not yet sold
The Editor, Sir:
I wish to express concern on behalf of the Air Jamaica Privatisation Committee, which I chair, about a misleading story - headlined 'Air Jamaica Sold ...' - which appeared in the Saturday, July 4, issue of The Gleaner.
I characterise the story as 'misleading' because Air Jamaica has not yet been sold. It was stated clearly in a news update which was issued June 30, that the privatisation committee has made a recommendation regarding a possible transaction. The press release also made it clear that a decision on that recommendation had to be made by Cabinet and the board of Air Jamaica. Neither of those activities has as yet taken place.
No contracts signed
Additionally, both the headline and the other sections of The Gleaner's July 4 story - which named two firms which "have bought the country's national carrier, Air Jamaica" - give the impression that the privatisation committee and the minister have misled the country by executing a sale, while advising the country that only a recommendation, which is to be decided upon, has been made. This is far from true and I use this opportunity to reiterate that such formal approvals have not been made and that no contracts have as yet been signed with anyone.
Recent experience with other privatisation efforts should make everyone aware of just how carefully negotiations of this nature must be handled. The negotiations to privatise Air Jamaica are at an extremely delicate stage and the confidentiality arrangements remain in place until initial agreements are signed, key stakeholders are brought up to date on the possible implications of the sale and there is final closure.
While we understand the desire of media houses to 'scoop' each other on matters of national interest, such as the Air Jamaica privatisation, we urge that care be taken to ensure that nothing is done to derail what is a critical transaction for and on behalf of all the people of Jamaica.
Hiflyer From United States, joined Nov 2004, 1622 posts, RR: 6 Reply 17, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 936 times:
Quoting AirJamaica (Reply 16): A Letter From Mr. Lalor regarding the JM Sale.....
Saw that and also no correction by the Gleaner...they appear to be standing by their reporters at the present time. That could mean several things, of course. Inside NK the feeling is that the deal is done BTW from folks I have contacted....for what that is worth as well.
It is interesting that both NK and B6 are pointing at Jamaica when it appears that opening of Cuba may be nearer than farther away...for US open skies. That could really hurt all the islands as Cuba would become the immediate 'hot spot' for both air and sea and suck up a lot of the discretionary travel in the region for the near term at least.
OP3000 From United States, joined Jun 2009, 614 posts, RR: 2 Reply 19, posted (4 months 3 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 717 times:
Makes a lot of sense. Like Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, Jamaica combines a couple of important factors: big tourist markets and large immigrant population in the NY metro area (where B6 is strongest). In that respect they are stronger, more stable routes than places like AUA, POS or PAP, which have one or the other factor but not both.
N623JB From United States, joined Sep 2007, 321 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (4 months 3 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 669 times:
Actually, I think that POS may have both factors-Tourist market and population in nyc..I know for sure Haiti has a large population in the NyC area...Tourism....maybe.
JETBLUE LOVES LAX!(Los Angeles International Airport,Ca)
OP3000 From United States, joined Jun 2009, 614 posts, RR: 2 Reply 21, posted (4 months 3 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 595 times:
Quoting N623JB (Reply 20): Actually, I think that POS may have both factors-Tourist market and population in nyc
It does, but not high volume like DR, PR, Jamaica, Aruba and Cancun. Here are the tourisms stats for most Caribbean destinations so far this year (page 2):
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