JetBlue announces expansion plans in Kingston, Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica – At a special event in Kingston, Jamaica this afternoon, JetBlue Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer Robin Hayes announced that the value airline intends to grow services from the isl

KINGSTON, Jamaica – At a special event in Kingston, Jamaica this afternoon, JetBlue Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer Robin Hayes announced that the value airline intends to grow services from the island’s capital and largest city next spring, launching twice daily nonstop flights to Fort Lauderdale, Florida beginning April 30, 2012.

“We talk about the importance of the Caribbean to JetBlue – we look at markets like Jamaica where we’ve seen a phenomenal response to our brand – and we just can’t wait to add more service,” said Mr. Hayes. “We see this as just another step in a journey that’s going to take us to a sizeable presence in Jamaica. We really appreciate the great partnership that we get from the tourism and airport officials, who have been with us for the long run.”

“NMIA is pleased with JetBlue’s decision to fly the KIN/FLL route thereby providing increased airlift and destination options,” said Earl Anthony Richards, CEO of NMIA Airports Limited. “The Fort Lauderdale connection is not only indicative of the potential for further development of this important gateway but no doubt also reflects the success of the Kingston to JFK route which was inaugurated two years ago. The timing is impeccable as during 2012 NMIA expects to receive greater numbers of visiting friends and relative (VFR) passengers to participate in ‘JAMAICA 50’ Homecoming.”

“The Broward County Aviation Department welcomes JetBlue’s new service to our fourth largest international market, Jamaica,” said Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport’s acting Director of Aviation, Mike Nonnemacher. “JetBlue and its twice daily service to this magnificent island are a perfect match for the airport and the demand to and from Kingston by our community.”

JetBlue’s schedule between Fort Lauderdale and Kingston:

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Kingston (KIN)
Kingston (KIN) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL)

Depart โ€“ Arrive
Depart โ€“ Arrive

7:00 a.m. โ€“ 7:45 a.m.

4:50 p.m. โ€“ 5:35 p.m.
8:40 a.m. โ€“ 11:30 a.m.

6:30 p.m. โ€“ 9:20 p.m.

– Flights will operate daily โ€“

– All times local –

“Airlift is the life blood of the tourist industry for island destinations like Jamaica,” said Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, John Lynch. “We welcome the introduction of yet another JetBlue route to the destination. The Kingston โ€“ Fort Lauderdale route is extremely popular, but more important, it provides easy connections to several North American cities. The twice daily service is also well positioned especially for business people as the impact on the work day is minimal.”

“The relationship between JetBlue and Fort Lauderdale continues to flourish and we are extremely excited to announce new nonstop service from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Kingston, Jamaica, positioning Greater Fort Lauderdale as the gateway to the Caribbean,” said Nicki Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

From Fort Lauderdale, Jamaicans will also have convenient connecting service onwards to Austin, TX; the New York metro area (La Guardia, Newark or Westchester County); and Richmond, Va. The new service will complement JetBlue’s existing daily service from Kingston to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). JetBlue also flies direct from Montego Bay to JFK, Boston and Orlando.

Service to Fort Lauderdale will be operated by JetBlue’s Embraer E190 aircraft, offering two-by-two, comfortable all-leather seating, as well as the 150-seat Airbus A320. The airline’s customers also enjoy free movies on personal seatback TVs, a first-checked bag free (c), award-winning customer service and unlimited, complimentary snacks and drinks.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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