MONTEGO BAY, St James - DIRECTOR of Tourism John Lynch is urging the United Statesbased United Airlines to consider opening up a hub between Kingston and at least one US state.

“For us who are residents in Kingston, United should really look at flying into Kingston. You need to come to Kingston. It is another part of the island and is the capital, so you really should consider that route,” Lynch urged United’s representatives.

The director of tourism was giving a brief address to United’s senior representatives, guests and tourism stakeholders at a cocktail reception held at the Ritz Carlton Resort in Montego Bay, last Friday. The event was held in celebration of United Airlines’ 10th anniversary of offering service between Montego Bay and the US.

And responding to Lynch’s challenge, Diana Loaces, United Airlines’ regional sales manager for the Caribbean, said: “United Airlines are always looking at markets, which may have potentials and if we see that they may be profitable we will consider them.”

“We have been flying to Jamaica for the past 10 years and we have been very, very pleased with this route, with our passengers, as well as with the people of the Jamaica,” Loaces said.

And more Jamaicans and Americans, will now add to the millions of passengers carried by the United Airlines, with its introduction of two new gateways between Montego Bay and the US.

These are Chicago and Washington Dulles hubs, in addition to its existing Newark Liberty and Houston gateways in New Jersey and Texas, respectively.

Loaces said beginning in March, United Airlines expects to see an increase in the number of passengers they carry between Montego Bay and the US based on their projection. This means there could be an increase in the number of flights they operate weekly, she said.

“We are now operating on a slower schedule, but come March the flights will pick up, especially from the Newark and Houston hubs,” added Loaces.