SPIRIT IS IN JAMAICA!!

Minister Pickersgill cuts the ribbon welcoming as he symbolically welcomes Spirit Airlines to Jamaica. Others in the picture are from left to right: Mr. Torrance Lewis, Director General, Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, Ms. Natasha Babulal, Mktg. Mnger; Spirit Airlines, Mr. Earl Richards, President, Airports Authority of Jamaica, Mr. Lee Clarke, Deputy Mayor of Kingston, Mr. Marc Cavaliere, Vice President, Spirit Airlines, Mr. Bill de la Torre, Director, Spirit Airlines.

On Thursday, November 10, 2005, Spirit Airlines made its inaugural flight into Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Amidst a ‘Water Salute’ the graceful A321 aircraft taxied its way to Gate 8 of the Norman Manley International Airport at approximately 1:30pm. Shortly after coming to a halt, passengers excited passengers disembarked and made their way into the immigration area of the airport. Passengers having disembarked, it was then next the turn of officials of the airline represented by Mr. Marc Cavaliere, V.P, the Government represented by Minister Robert Pickersgill, Deputy Mayor of Kingston, Lee Clarke along with Mr. Dennis Morrison and Mr Earl Richards, both of the Airports Authority of Jamaica to cut the ribbon signifying the official entry of the airline into Jamaica.

Speaking at a press conference which followed the arrival of the aircraft, Minister Robert Pickersgill welcomed the entry of Spirit Airlines into Jamaica as a service that will ‘stimulate air traffic and encourage commerce.’ He highlighted the fact that Spirit will be offering low fare, low cost services with additional lift capacity into and out of Jamaica with direct connections in Fort Lauderdale to other gateways serving important markets in the travel trade. He pointed to the fact that this positive development (Spirit’s entry into Jamaica) will be particularly welcomed by the tourist industry and business interests.

Turning to the business aspect of the airline’s foray into Jamaica, the Minister had this to say, “ It is clear that the decision by the company reflects a high level of confidence on the part of the airline in Jamaica and its prospects for doing business here. The Government of Jamaica through has been facilitating a comprehensive development plan at both international airports with a view to ensuring that the infrastructure at both facilities is brought into line with what is expected of modern air ports.”

Excited passengers disembark from the inaugural Spirit Airlines flight.

Minister Pickersgill also noted that the airport system which Spirit by its entry into Jamaica will enhance, had made and continued to make a significant contribution to the national economy. ‘Our airports generate more than thirteen thousand direct and indirect jobs and economic activity approximating to 5.6% of Jamaica’s gross national product’. Quoting statistics, he said that in 2004, a record number of 4,789, 615 passengers travelled through the two airports in the island. He explained that the expansion programme which is in place at both airports is designed to ensure that they:
• Remain competitive with other airports within the region
• Adequately address the changing needs of travellers as well as provide improved levels of service and
• Continue to be significant economic catalysts and contributors to the development and growth of Jamaica.

He said that the development work for each airport will result in the transformation of the facility, be a source of pride to all Jamaicans as well as providing a meaningful ‘first impression’ for the many visitors arriving from abroad.

For his part, Vice President of Spirit Air, Mr. Marc Cavaliere said that he was ‘extremely delighted at being a part of the aviation landscape’. He pointed out that the airline had entered the Jamaican marketplace confident that they could make a difference to the competitive nature of that market and pledged that they would provide service of the highest quality. He thanked the various stakeholders in Jamaica with whom the airline worked in making their entry into Jamaica possible.

Spirit Airlines flies to eighteen destinations with 120 daily flight departures. The company offers both scheduled and charter services with a modern fleet currently consisting of MD-80 aircraft and Airbus A321 aircraft. Customers of the airline are being offered two classes of service: Spirit Coach Service and Spirit Plus, an upgraded coach class service, including wide seats in two by two seating, dedicated check-in, complimentary cocktails and priority boarding.

Other persons speaking at the welcome ceremony included Mrs. Camille Needham, Executive Director of the Jamaica Hotel Tourist Association (JHTA), Deputy Mayor of Kingston, Mr. Lee Clarke, Mr. Earl Richards, President of the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) and Mr. Dennis Morrison, Chairman, Airports Authority of Jamaica.