Larger aircraft for Montego Bay-Nassau route
Published:Monday | June 21, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
On the heels of the success of the its inaugural Kingston route, the Bahamian-owned Western Air is touting a larger aircraft to service its Montego Bay-Nassau itinerary for the upcoming winter tourist season.
The company recently signed a multimillion-dollar purchase agreement to acquire three additional aircraft, the airline's captain Wolf Seyfert told journalists at a welcome ceremony at the Sangster International Airport, last Friday.
According to Seyfert, the new aircraft, SAAB 340B models, are better suited for the new Jamaica routes in particular, as a result of their ability to carry 1,000 more pounds, higher cruising speed and overall better performance. The SAAB 340B is an advancement and later model of the SAAB 340A than the company currently operates.
The addition to the route, Seyfert cautioned though, was dependent on the response to the carrier.
Western Air, the largest privately owned airline in The Bahamas, responded to the calls made by several Jamaicans residing in that country, by filling the void left by former national carrier Air Jamaica when it announced suspension of that route, earlier this year.
Exclusive route
Western Air offers the only non-stop daily service between Sangster International Airport and the Linden Pindling International in Nassau.
The airline's president and CEO, Rex Rolle, admits that his airline has quickly found a home in Jamaica.
"There was no question about beginning flight service into Montego Bay, we were so elated by the positive response we received from Kingston; we knew almost instantaneously that Montego Bay would be next on our agenda."
With an introductory rate of US$320 roundtrip plus taxes, the airline departs Nassau at 9:30 a.m. with a scheduled arrival into Montego Bay at 10:30 a.m., departing from Montego Bay at 11:30 a.m., arriving into Nassau at 2:30 p.m. The actual flight time is one hour and 40 minutes.
The Bahamian-owned, San Adros Island-based carrier says it is constructing a US$4 million terminal in Freeport, Grand Bahama, and this will serve its Jamaican customers as well.
"Upon completion, the facility will serve as the airline's northern hub and will facilitate the launch of Western Air's expansion into South Florida and the Northern Bahamas market," stated Jennise Wedderburn, Western Air's director of operations, Jamaica.
According to Wedderburn, passengers traveling to The Bahamas are able to connect to other parts of the country as Western Air offers daily service from Nassau to Freeport, Marsh Harbour, Exuma, Congo Town, San Andros and Bimini.