September 23rd, 2004 Travel to Aruba, the island where happiness lives, has posted extraordinary increases this year with record-setting arrival numbers and, in response to the tremendous demand, many airlines are offering new and increased service. The Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) reports that year-to-date worldwide arrivals to Aruba through July are up a whopping double-digit 16.22% representing 59,331 more travelers to the Caribbean island over 2003. From the U.S. alone, the island paradise has welcomed 318,996 lucky travelers in the first seven months of 2004, which represents a 18.09% increase or 48,873 passengers. Many airlines, including major carriers and smaller operations alike, have increased flights to Aruba with brand new connections, additional non-stop service and more charter flights, making getting to Aruba from both the East and West Coasts, easier than ever before.
The new air service includes the following:*
US Airways
- Debuting November 7, US Airways will expand its Boston (BOS) -Aruba (AUA) route from Saturday-only service by adding non-stop roundtrip flights every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. The new flights will depart Boston at 7:15 a.m. and the return flights will leave Aruba at 1:55 p.m.
US Airways launched a brand-new non-stop flight from New York’s La Guardia Airport (LGA) to the Caribbean paradise this June 12. The new service operates on Saturdays departing from LGA at 7:30 a.m. The return Saturday flight departs Aruba at 12:45 p.m.
United Airlines
- New year-round non-stop daily service from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Aruba, which replaces a single weekly flight, will begin on December 16, 2004, just in time for travelers to
enjoy a holiday vacation on the beach. This extensive new service will translate into nearly 41,000 additional airline seats to Aruba. The new flights will leave Chicago at 8:20 a.m. and depart Aruba at 4:30 p.m.
TransGlobal Vacations
- Travelers from Minneapolis/St. Paul will be offered dedicated charter service to Aruba beginning December 19, 2004 through April 3, 2005. The new non-stop service, which translates into over 3,500 additional seats, will operate every Sunday, leaving Minneapolis/St. Paul at 8:00 a.m. and departing Aruba at 4:40 p.m., and will be the perfect remedy to the chilly Minnesota weather.
Continental Airlines
- Effective October 2, 2004 through 2005, Continental Airlines will begin its second Saturday service departing from Newark’s Liberty International Airport (EWR) at 11:50 a.m., arriving in Aruba at 4:25 p.m.
Aruba fans will continue to enjoy exceptional air service to the Caribbean paradise through a number of different air carriers. Current air service to Aruba includes:
American Airlines/American Eagle
- Daily non-stop service from New York (JFK); two daily non-stop flights from Miami (MIA) and SJU (including American Eagle service); and two (summer months) to four (winter months) non-stop flights weekly from BOS.
Continental Airlines
- Daily service from Newark (EWR) and up to three flights per week from Houston (IAH).
Delta Air Lines
- Daily service from Atlanta (ATL) with two flights on Saturday and Saturday service from JFK.
US Airways
- Daily flights from Philadelphia (PHL) and Charlotte (CLT) with one additional Saturday flight from CLT.
American TransAir
- Saturday service from Chicago’s Midway Airport.
Charter flights:
- Year- round – Boston, Hartford, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Toronto
- Seasonal – Providence (RI), Atlanta, Detroit, Newark (NJ), Cleveland and Philadelphia.
“U.S. arrivals to Aruba for 2004 are extraordinarily strong, record-setting, in fact. We are encouraged that our airline partners have recognized the overwhelmingly positive increased demand and expanded service to the island,” said Managing Director for the Aruba Tourism Authority, Myrna Jansen. “The 18.09% increase in year-to-date visitors from the U.S. through July shows the unbelievable strength of Aruba’s tourism industry. With the additional service that is on board for 2004 and the expanded service offerings for 2005, we are assured that these numbers will continue to grow as it is now faster and easier for travelers to experience an unforgettable Aruba vacation.”
