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New Life for Air Ja
New life for Air Jamaica cheers South Florida fans
Air Jamaica plane with its redesigned logo at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport . (Robert Duyos, Sun Sentinel / February 3, 2011)
For more than 40 years, Air Jamaica has been revered by loyal customers as the "little piece of Jamaica that flies," but growing debt weighed heavily on its future. Now the iconic lovebird has a new lease on life.
The Jamaican national carrier was officially re-launched last month after Trinidad's Caribbean Airlines Limited acquired it less than a year ago.
Caribbean Airlines' goal is to operate Air Jamaica as one of two brands operating under its umbrella. South Florida travelers like the strategy.
"I think it's good the new owners have recognized the value of keeping Air Jamaica as a brand," Kingston attorney and frequent flier John Bassie said recently at a Plantation re-launch event for the airline.
Air Jamaica flies daily nonstops from Fort Lauderdale to Jamaica's Kingston and Montego Bay, airports. Fort Lauderdale became its South Florida hub when it pulled out of Miami in February 2009.
South Floridians will be encouraged by the changes taking place, said Air Jamaica's senior manager of sales William 'Bill' Rodgers. They include a new 737-800 fleet with a new paint scheme.
The first plane in this fleet -- the Spirit of Kingston -- was unveiled last month in Kingston sporting the new livery and a Caribbean Airlines logo beneath Air Jamaica's.
The Boeing 737-800 aircrafts -- expected to be fully in place by end of April -- will replace its Airbus A-320 fleet and have more cargo capacity to ensure that "you'll arrive with your bags," Rodgers said.
The in-flight food service in economy cabin on long-haul destinations such as Philadelphia, New York and Toronto will be revamped to include a complimentary meal, not a snack, he said.
Air Jamaica will also continue to allow economy class passengers traveling between North America and the Caribbean, two free pieces of checked baggage at 50 pounds each and a carry-on at 22 lbs. It isn't charging extra for premium seating, Rodgers said.
The market for non-stop flights between Jamaica and South Florida is also served by Spirit Airlines, which flies from Fort Lauderdale to Montego Bay and Kingston, and by American Airlines, which ended Fort Lauderdale-Kingston service in 2009, but still flies to the Jamaican capital from Miami.
Air Jamaica recently had a $76 one-way economy sale fare between Fort Lauderdale and Jamaica for travel through March 17. (The sale ended Jan. 31) That compared to $102 one-way fares from Miami on American.
Rodgers said plans are afoot to resume service to Miami, Chicago and Baltimore. Flights to London are also expected to resume this summer.
While Air Jamaica will fly from Jamaica to North American destinations, and to Nassau in The Bahamas, Caribbean Airlines will operate similar North America routes from its Port of Spain hub, but will also fly to other Caribbean destinations such as St. Maarten, Antigua, Barbados and Grenada.
Air Jamaica will focus more on the leisure market and Caribbean Airlines on business travel, airline officials said .
Caribbean Airlines has an 84 percent stake in the new combined airline, which has an estimated value of $500 million. The Jamaican government -- Air Jamaica's former owner, will retain 16 percent.
Years of unprofitability forced the government to put its national treasure up for sale in 2008 as it battled rising operating costs and competition from legacy and low-cost airlines.
Like many airlines facing declining customer traffic in the challenging economy, Air Jamaica had to scale back flights, cut some on-board amenities and pull out of markets to trim expenses.
Many, including Pastor Dennis Grant of A Place of Restoration church in Margate, were elated to hear the airline would continue to exist after the merger.
"I'm so excited that we can still maintain our identity…that Air Jamaica will still be seen flying high," he said.
At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the carriers together accounted for two percent of its total passenger traffic in December, with Air Jamaica generating the major chunk.
"Air Jamaica has been a popular airline for many years," said airport spokesman Greg Meyer, noting its appeal with South Florida's Jamaican and Caribbean population, which the airport serves. "It's been a good partner for us."
Arlene Satchell can be reached at asatchell@SunSentinel.com or 954-356-4209. Follow her on Twitter.com @TheSatchreport.
Air Jamaica plane with its redesigned logo at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport . (Robert Duyos, Sun Sentinel / February 3, 2011)For more than 40 years, Air Jamaica has been revered by loyal customers as the "little piece of Jamaica that flies," but growing debt weighed heavily on its future. Now the iconic lovebird has a new lease on life.
The Jamaican national carrier was officially re-launched last month after Trinidad's Caribbean Airlines Limited acquired it less than a year ago.
Caribbean Airlines' goal is to operate Air Jamaica as one of two brands operating under its umbrella. South Florida travelers like the strategy.
"I think it's good the new owners have recognized the value of keeping Air Jamaica as a brand," Kingston attorney and frequent flier John Bassie said recently at a Plantation re-launch event for the airline.
Air Jamaica flies daily nonstops from Fort Lauderdale to Jamaica's Kingston and Montego Bay, airports. Fort Lauderdale became its South Florida hub when it pulled out of Miami in February 2009.
South Floridians will be encouraged by the changes taking place, said Air Jamaica's senior manager of sales William 'Bill' Rodgers. They include a new 737-800 fleet with a new paint scheme.
The first plane in this fleet -- the Spirit of Kingston -- was unveiled last month in Kingston sporting the new livery and a Caribbean Airlines logo beneath Air Jamaica's.
The Boeing 737-800 aircrafts -- expected to be fully in place by end of April -- will replace its Airbus A-320 fleet and have more cargo capacity to ensure that "you'll arrive with your bags," Rodgers said.
The in-flight food service in economy cabin on long-haul destinations such as Philadelphia, New York and Toronto will be revamped to include a complimentary meal, not a snack, he said.
Air Jamaica will also continue to allow economy class passengers traveling between North America and the Caribbean, two free pieces of checked baggage at 50 pounds each and a carry-on at 22 lbs. It isn't charging extra for premium seating, Rodgers said.
The market for non-stop flights between Jamaica and South Florida is also served by Spirit Airlines, which flies from Fort Lauderdale to Montego Bay and Kingston, and by American Airlines, which ended Fort Lauderdale-Kingston service in 2009, but still flies to the Jamaican capital from Miami.
Air Jamaica recently had a $76 one-way economy sale fare between Fort Lauderdale and Jamaica for travel through March 17. (The sale ended Jan. 31) That compared to $102 one-way fares from Miami on American.
Rodgers said plans are afoot to resume service to Miami, Chicago and Baltimore. Flights to London are also expected to resume this summer.
While Air Jamaica will fly from Jamaica to North American destinations, and to Nassau in The Bahamas, Caribbean Airlines will operate similar North America routes from its Port of Spain hub, but will also fly to other Caribbean destinations such as St. Maarten, Antigua, Barbados and Grenada.
Air Jamaica will focus more on the leisure market and Caribbean Airlines on business travel, airline officials said .
Caribbean Airlines has an 84 percent stake in the new combined airline, which has an estimated value of $500 million. The Jamaican government -- Air Jamaica's former owner, will retain 16 percent.
Years of unprofitability forced the government to put its national treasure up for sale in 2008 as it battled rising operating costs and competition from legacy and low-cost airlines.
Like many airlines facing declining customer traffic in the challenging economy, Air Jamaica had to scale back flights, cut some on-board amenities and pull out of markets to trim expenses.
Many, including Pastor Dennis Grant of A Place of Restoration church in Margate, were elated to hear the airline would continue to exist after the merger.
"I'm so excited that we can still maintain our identity…that Air Jamaica will still be seen flying high," he said.
At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the carriers together accounted for two percent of its total passenger traffic in December, with Air Jamaica generating the major chunk.
"Air Jamaica has been a popular airline for many years," said airport spokesman Greg Meyer, noting its appeal with South Florida's Jamaican and Caribbean population, which the airport serves. "It's been a good partner for us."
Arlene Satchell can be reached at asatchell@SunSentinel.com or 954-356-4209. Follow her on Twitter.com @TheSatchreport.