Posted by: Editor on Oct 07, 2004 – 11:05 AM
newsandinfo The Bahamas tourism industry is expected to receive a much-needed boost with the announcement that Spirit Airlines, a leading low-cost carrier, will begin a daily, non-stop service between Nassau and Fort Lauderdale, with connections to northern US cities on January 10, 2005.
Marc Cavaliere, Spirits vice-president of sales and distribution, said Nassau was an important destination for the airline, which would be proactively promoting The Bahamas and emphasizing its qualities as a carrier, including its reliability, affordability and commitment to service.
Travel agents were also expected to play an important role in the establishment of Spirit, whether assisting in marketing to residents who are hopping or vacationing in Fort Lauderdale.
With flights originating and ending in Chicago, one of the top markets for the Nassau-Paradise Island destination, travelers will be able to make connections to any number of its 18 destination, including New Yorks La Guardia airport, New Jersey, Detroit, the Providence/Boston area, Washington DC and Santo Domingo.
Mr. Cavaliere said Nassau International Airports pre-clearance lounge would make it that much easier for passengers coming from the airlines three other destinations in the Caribbean. Tyrone Sawyer, director of Airlift Development for the Ministry of Tourism, said tourism officials were extending a hand of friendship and partnership to Spirit Airlines in a move to help grow the destination.
He said that with the airlines strong track record of carrying a high load factor on all routes, tourism officials were confident the airline would contribute significantly to an increase in stopover arrivals. Initial estimates have the carrier coming in at an 80 percent load factor.
As The Bahamas comes off of one of the worst hurricane seasons in recent times, officials at Spirit Airlines said they had a double challenge ahead of them. Mr.Cavaliere said Spirit will also open the destination up to a new demographic that is knowledgeable about the product and is aware of the excellent resorts and attractions available in The Bahamas, but were prevented from visiting previously because of prohibitive transportation costs.
With its low fares and quality service, Spirit Airlines said it would allow those persons to come and vacation in The Bahamas, he added. Travellers were able to book reservations on Spirit starting today, with the special introductory fares below available for travel between the period January 10 and February 9, 2005.
Atlantic City to/from Nassau, Bahamas from $89* each way
Chicago O’Hare to/from Nassau, Bahamas from $89* each way
Detroit to/from Nassau, Bahamas from $89* each way
Fort Lauderdale to/from Nassau, Bahamas from $39* each way
Myrtle Beach to/from Nassau, Bahamas from $79* each way
New York LaGuardia to/from Nassau, Bahamas from $89* each way
Providence (Boston area) to/from Nassau, Bahamas from $89* each way
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to/from Nassau, Bahamas from $89* each way
Washington, DC Reagan National to/from Nassau, Bahamas from $89* each way
Yolanda Deleveaux, The Tribune