Puerto Rico air services take off with new flights to Ponce and Aguadilla
New services accommodate growing visitor volume to one of the only Caribbean destinations where no passport is required if travelling from the US
San Juan, Puerto Rico (March 2, 2007) – Travelling to Puerto Rico, the Caribbean’s "Island of Enchantment," has never been easier with increased air service to the island’s main airports, including the diverse regions of Porta del Sol in the west and Porta Caribe in the south. With 21 airlines providing 15,000 non-stop flights from 60 destinations annually, travellers to Puerto Rico experience a vacation destination that offers authentic Latin culture with the benefits of being a domestic destination where no passport is required when travelling from the United States.
Air travellers to Puerto Rico have access to three major airports serving the island: Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Rafael Hernandez Airport (BQN) on the west coast and Ponce Mercedita Airport (PSE) in the south. As part of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s (PRTC) strategic plan, these airports are currently being improved to accommodate the continued growth in tourism.
At Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport, a series of capital improvements, such as the reconstruction of an 11,500 ft runway (the second longest in the Caribbean), and the renovation of Terminal A and to all general aviation terminals are underway. Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla operates a newly constructed $10.1 million international terminal and with increased passenger movement to the island’s southern region, the Puerto Rico Ports Authority is invested in renovations at the Ponce Mercedita Airport.
Terestella González Denton, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company stated, “In order to make every visitor’s experience more enjoyable, Puerto Rico is thinking ahead and continues to invest in the island’s tourism infrastructure by increasing air access and by making major airport renovations and expansions.”
Following is an overview of recent Puerto Rico air developments:
JetBlue continues its strong service to Puerto Rico, providing non-stop flights to the island’s three main airports in Aguadilla, Ponce and San Juan from New York (JFK), with additional non-stop service to San Juan from Newark (EWR). In September 2006, JetBlue added two new routes from Orlando (MCO), adding twice daily non-stop flights to San Juan and once daily flights to Aguadilla.
In addition to its daily non-stop service to San Juan from Newark (EWR) and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Continental Airlines now offers non-stop service to Ponce and Aguadilla from Newark (EWR) with daily flights.
Delta Air Lines, with existing daily flights between San Juan and Atlanta (ATL), New York (JFK) and Orlando (MCO), expanded service to Aguadilla and Ponce from Atlanta. Delta is operating the service between Atlanta and Aguadilla four times weekly and between Atlanta and Ponce twice weekly.
Spirit Airlines has announced non-stop service to Aguadilla originating from Ft Lauderdale (FLL) beginning April 12, 2007. Service will run five times per week. Additionally, beginning May 3, Spirit will launch seasonal, non-stop service between Atlantic City (ACY) and San Juan on Thursdays through Sundays. Furthermore, another non-stop flight from Tampa (TPA) to San Juan will be launched on May 4 with flights operating four days a week on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until June 13, and five days a week (including Thursdays) until the end of Spirit’s seasonal service, which ends August 12.
Caribbean Sun Airlines expanded its service between San Juan and the Dominican Republic with the addition of the first-ever flights to Santo Domingo. The new service includes eight daily non-stop flights.
For travel between Puerto Rico and the United States, no passport is required.
Visit www.caribbean.com for your free on-line Puerto Rico travel guide.
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