News From The Americas

Richard Maslen March 31, 2011

CONTINENTAL TO LAUNCH SAN FRANCISCO – GUADALAJARA

Continental Airlines is to add a second link to the Mexican city of Guadalajara, with the introduction of a daily flight from San Francisco on June 9. It already offers up to 38 flights per week from its Houston George Bush Intercontinental hub and will add a link from Los Angeles at the start of May. Approximately 52,000 O&D passengers travelled between the two airports in the year ending January 2011, a route previously dominated by Mexicana prior to its demise. The launch remains subject to approval by Mexican authorities but a Continental Airlines executive confirmed that this should be received in a matter of weeks. Guadalajara, Mexico's second-largest city, is known for its mariachi music and tequila, as well as historic architecture, works of famed mural artist Jose Clemente Orozco, distinctive ceramics and ecotourism.

COPA AIRLINES COLOMBIA TO ADD FLIGHTS TO CARACAS

COPA Airlines Colombia is to inaugurate flights from Bogota and Cartagena to the Venezuelan capital Caracas from June 14, adding to its existing four times weekly flights from Medellin. The Colombian carrier will offer 13 flights per week from Bogota and two from Cartagena using Embraer 190s. Avianca currently already offers flights between the two capital cities, as well as from Bogota to Valencia. Approximately 265,000 O&D passengers travelled between Colombia and Venezuela in the year ending January 2011, with more than 54 per cent using Avianca’s link between Bogota and Caracas.

GREAT LAKES AVIATION INTRODUCES LOS ANGELES

Cheyenne, Wyoming-headquartered US regional carrier Great Lakes Aviation is to launch a daily Las Vegas – Merced – Visalia – Los Angeles service from May 15. At the same time it will transfer its activities at Ontario International Airport to Los Angeles, including its flights from Prescott/Flagstaff (which will also increase from once to twice daily), Visalia and Farmington NM. The commuter airline will also launch a daily Las Vegas – Ely rotation that same day, replacing its existing Ely – Moab – Denver service.

CARIBBEAN AIRLINES BOOSTS CAPACITY TO GRENADA

Caribbean Airlines will increase the frequency of its flights between Port of Spain and Grenada, offering a double daily service five days per week. In addition to its existing twice weekly services into Maurice Bishop International Airport, which continue onto New York JFK International, this brings Caribbean Airlines’ operations to 24 flights weekly between Trinidad and Grenada. “These additional flights cement Caribbean Airlines’ commitment to the expansion of the airline in the Caribbean region,” said a company spokeswoman. “We are strengthening our presence in our home markets to facilitate the travel needs of our customers, since a need for these additional services into Grenada have been identified. Caribbean Airlines has taken up the challenge of being the cornerstone for regional aviation and the airline of choice for travel within the Caribbean.” The airline will use its Bombardier Dash 8 models as well as a recently wet-leased ATR on the route.

TACA PERU INTRODUCES DOMESTIC LINKS

TACA Peru is to add domestic services from its Lima Jorge Chavez International hub to Chiclayo and Piura, as well as boosting frequencies to Trujillo. The airline will operate a twice daily link to Piura and a daily flight to Chiclayo from May 9. These routes are both already served by LAN Peru, which offers 32 weekly frequencies to Piura, an O&D market of 323,000 passengers in the year ending January 2011, and 22 weekly flights to Chiclayo, where it holds an 85 per cent share of a 226,000 O&D passenger market. Star Peru also offers six flights per week on the latter route using a BAe 146. TACA will also add a second daily rotation on the Lima – Trujillo route adding a morning service in addition to its existing late night flight.

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