Air Jamaica Resumes Kingston – Orlando Link

Air Jamaica has resumed direct flights between Kingston and Orlando International in Central Florida after previously suspending the route two years ago. The airline launched the first of a twice weekly service on September 15, adding to the existing US links of Ft Lauderdale and New York JFK, served by the carrier and its partner Caribbean Airlines.

Speaking at the official inauguration of the flight, Will Rodgers, acting General Manager, Air Jamaica highlighted the target markets for the new service. "Reintroducing our non-stop service to Orlando — the fifth largest metropolitan area in the south-east US — is an important milestone in our strategy to strengthen operations. The flights, which originate in Port of Spain, will serve Orlando's growing Caribbean diaspora, as well as seasonal leisure travellers from the Caribbean," he said.

The route is being operated using a 154-seat Boeing 737-800 with a 16-seat Business Class cabin and increases the Air Jamaica network to six destinations across North America, serving the US, Canada and the Caribbean with over 130 weekly flights. In the past year an estimated 7,000 O&D passenger used the route, the majority flying with American Airlines via New York, but the potential market is considerably larger. In 2008 when Air Jamaica offered a direct service more than 22,000 O&D passengers are believed to have travelled between Kingston and Orlando International.