JetBlue Increases Service To Aruba

Boston and New York JFK to receive an additional boost

Aruba Airport Authority N.V.(AAA) is pleased to announce air service increases for the coming winter season from one of its valued air carriers, jetBlue Airways. New York JFK will receive an additional Saturday frequency making the 1st Quarter 2009 schedule from JFK 2 times daily and 3 flights on Saturdays. Boston will receive a considerable boost in air service from jetBlue with service increasing from 3x a week to 4x week from January through the mid of February 2009. In addition, mid February through April 2009, Boston will see service increase from 3x a week to 7x a week, except Tuesday but Saturday will have 2x daily service.

The much needed increase in service compliments the steep decrease in charter service to Aruba from the North East region. The charter industry has been declining over the last several years as a whole. Markets such as Boston have flourished in Aruba mostly due to charter service which has been replaced with scheduled service, most notably Low Cost Carriers whom have greater customer advantages in areas such as pricing, flexibility and comfort.

Based on the recent schedule change from New York’s JFK Airport, AAA has been in constant contact with our airline partners in seeking opportunities to increase capacity and or frequencies in order to meet the demand for seats to the destination. jetBlue’s response in adding service will help closing the gap. American Airlines has changed equipment on Saturdays as well from a B757 with 188 to a B767 with 224 seats. Demand for the destination needs to remain strong and ATA and AHATA are focusing efforts on branding and marketing the destination.

“In a year that will be remembered as the year the airline industry had to completely reinvent itself, the immediate global impact of economic changes and erratic oil pricing behavior, effect everyone, our aim to maintain air service to Aruba has been and continues to be our main focus and is working,” Peter Steinmetz, Managing Director AAA noted. “Our strong relationship with our airline partners and our tourism partners give us the needed support to achieve positive results as these in the short term during very difficult times.