VISION AIRLINES TO FLY TO THE BAHAMAS
US carrier Vision Airlines is to introduce flights to Grand Bahama Island in November after signing an agreement with the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board to introduce links from Ft Lauderdale, FL, Louisville, KY, Richmond, VA, Raleigh/Durham, NC and Baltimore/Washington airports. The airline will also offer a one-stop service without a change of aircraft from its new hub at Destin/Ft Walton Beach. "These new flights will help to revitalize the tourism economy for Grand Bahama Island. The Island is gorgeous and there is so much for a visitor to enjoy, including world-class bone fishing, a variety of eco-tourism opportunities, beautiful beaches, great watersports, golf and fantastic shopping and dining," said David Meers, Chief Operating Officer, Vision Airlines. "Grand Bahama Island has always been a great destination but getting there has become a very expensive and time-consuming process. Our new non-stop, low-fare flights will make getting to Grand Bahama Island easy and affordable. Our public/private partnership with the tourism board is a very good model and one that we have used successfully in Florida," he added.
PANTANAL DROPS DOMESTIC DESTINATIONS
Brazilian regional carrier Pantanal Linhas Aéreas has suspended flights to the cities of Araçatuba, Ribeirão Preto and São José do Rio Preto, in the state of São Paulo, and Juiz de Fora and Uberaba, in Minas Gerais as it retires its five ATR 42-300s from passenger service. The closure of these routes was originally expected to take place at the end of July but was instead brought forward to July 5. The move is part of a restructuring and repositioning of the airline by its owner TAM. Pantanal will instead expand its fleet of Airbus narrowbodies, using five of six A319s and A320s on flights. Links to Bauru, previously served by an ATR will be maintained using an A319, although passengers flying to the other destinations will instead have to fly on the aircraft of TAM or through a codeshare with regional carrier Trip Linhas Aéreas.
FRONTIER TO ADD ROCKFORD LINK FROM DENVER
US carrier Frontier Airlines is to inaugurate flights from its Denver International Airport base to Rockford, IL, becoming the only operator on the route. It plans to offer a three times weekly service from December 15 using a 138-seat Airbus A319 airliner. The airline will serve Chicago Rockford International Airport, a mainly general aviation airfield located around 68 miles (109km) northwest of Chicago, that has been developed as an alternate gateway to the ‘Windy City’ than the busier O’Hare International and Midway facilities. United Airlines had previously served the facility from Denver between January 2007 and June 2008, carrying an estimated 33,000 O&D passengers across the period. “We are thrilled Frontier Airlines has added non-stop service between Rockford and Denver,” said Amy Ott, Interim Executive Director, Chicago Rockford International Airport. “Frontier is a great fit for the Chicago Rockford International Airport; as a team we will offer passengers a low-cost, hassle-free travel experience.” The airport is currently the headquarters for charter provider Ryan International Airlines and is also served by Allegiant Air which offers flights to AZA, Las Vegas, Orlando Sanford, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and St Petersburg Clearwater International as well as seasonal connections to Cancun and Punta Cana in association with Apple Vacations.
TAM AIRLINES TARGETS CHINESE MARKET
Brazilian carrier TAM Airlines has established a new commercial base in China as it works to develop new links with the Asian market. The company says the new operation will facilitate the introduction of new services to the Chinese market and strengthen its relationship with the country’s travel agents and existing and potential clients. TAM launched its first administrative and commercial office in Asia, in Hong Kong in February and its Chinese facility will be its third back office function, similar to the models already operating in Madrid and Miami. The units provide technical and commercial support to a whole network of travel agents and representations of the company in the continent. TAM currently has commercial representation in 45 offline markets, 12 of them in Asia. It also has management offices in Japan and China. “China is one of Brazil’s largest commercial partners and a leading destination for Brazilian exports in 2010, facts which result in significant passenger and cargo traffic between the two countries. It is an excellent opportunity for us to earn new revenue”, said Paulo Castello Branco, Commercial and Alliance Vice-President, TAM. According to official data from the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism, Brazil received 37,849 visitors from China, an increase of 34 per cent in relation to the previous year. TAM does not currently offer any flights to the Asian or Australasian markets in its own right but does codeshare with its Star Alliance partner Air China on twice weekly flights between Beijing and São Paulo via Madrid and with All Nippon Airways between London Heathrow and Tokyo Narita.
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