Sangster welcomes Copa Airlines to Jamaica

Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Bridging the distance between the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, Copa Airlines' regional general manager, Claudia Zuluaga, says the carrier's addition to the Sangster International Airport (SIA) flight roster will open up the most extensive route network in the region.

Zuluaga was speaking during the official ceremony welcoming the Latin American airline to the second city last Sunday at the Sangster International Airport. The airline will fly twice weekly from Panama to the tourism capital, Tuesdays and Sundays.

Convinced this was achievable through the hub of the Americas, Zuluaga argued that "Copa Airline's connection centre at Tocumen International Airport in Panama offers more international flights to more destinations in the Americas than any other hub in Latin America".

Moreover, she noted that the entry into Montego Bay takes place in an important year for the airline. "By the end of this year, we will have added a total of nine new destinations to our route network, closing 2011 with 293 daily flights to 59 cities in 28 countries across America, and a fleet of three new and state-of-the-art aircraft."

Her comments are in line with the vision of Jamaica's tourism minister, Edmund Bartlett, who over the past three years has articulated on the importance of securing air seats, which in turn will facilitate easy access to the island.

However, last Sunday, Bartlett went further, describing Copa's latest move as a "game changer" for Jamaica.

And although the negotiations between the Government and the airline took a long time for completion, the end product has resulted in another first for the country and the island's tourist industry.

"Jamaica will for the first time have direct commercial flights by Copa into Montego Bay and that has given a degree of certainty to travellers from South America who desire a direct flight between Panama City and Montego Bay," stated Bartlett, adding that in the past the carrier visited the second city as a charter flight.

In this new dispensation Copa's connectivity, which spans several South American countries, including Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Argentina, not only provide airlift, but passengers travelling from that region no longer need to fly via the United States to get here.

Tremendous contribution

Bartlett also pointed out that Copa Airlines' guarantee to Jamaica of some 10,000 new airline seats for the upcoming winter tourist season and beyond, will contribute tremendously to the projected 4.7 per cent growth in arrivals for the December 15 to April 15 period.

"The arrival of an expected 769,000 visitors for the winter will earn Jamaica an estimated US$850 million, making the upcoming season Jamaica's strongest ever winter," he said.

In the meantime, Bartlett announced that steps were being taken to offer visitors from Panama, Venezuela and Peru visa-free entry. Recently, the tourism minister announced that Colombians staying in Jamaica for 30 days and for tourism purposes would not require visas.

"Jamaica has recognised that certain issues in relation to border security must be addressed in the implementation of this policy and the Government is moving to address that matter using modern technology and cooperation between the governments of these countries," he stated.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com