Fort Lauderdale-based Spirit Airlines is determined to become the leading low cost carrier to the Caribbean, and is planning a further expansion of its operations to the region.

Yesterday, it announced more details of its Jamaican operations at a press conference held at the Courtleigh hotel, New Kingston.

Bill de la Torre Bueno, who is Spirit's director of international sales, said that the airline would create much-needed jobs for Jamaicans and that passengers can expect to fly in comfort.

Announcing flights to Jamaica from November 10, he said that Jamaica represented a strong market for the airline and that analysis has shown that there is heavy traffic between Florida and Jamaica. Emphasis will be placed on reliability and safety. Spirit will offer flights from Kingston to Fort Lauderdale from as low as coach US$69 one way and business US$170 one way. It will offer a daily flight from Kingston and two flights a day from Montego Bay.

Spirit flies to 27 cities in 17 countries. It currently serves Cancun, San Juan, Santo Domingo and will start its service to Montego Bay and Kingston next month. Spirit announced a further expansion this fall with non-stop service between Orlando and Montego Bay along with service from both Orlando and Tampa to Fort Lauderdale offering convenient connections to the Caribbean.

"Our vision is to be the leading low-cost carrier to the Caribbean and Latin America," he said, adding that the airline has a unique position in Fort Lauderdale with an opportunity to serve the local market and connecting passengers from cities such as Detroit, New York, Atlantic City, Washington DC and Chicago. "There is great demand for our low fare service to the region," said Chief Marketing Officer Barry Biffle speaking from Florida.

"Passenger demand for our service continues to be robust as evidenced by our load factor," explained Ben Baldanza, President and chief operating officer of Spirit Airlines. "Fall bookings continue to be strong. We look forward to growing our Caribbean service this November with more non-stops to Nassau, Cancun, and new service to both Montego Bay and Kingston, Jamaica."

"Spirit not only widens the aerial skyways enabling more people and development resources to flow to the region, it also shows Latin America and the Caribbean how the low cost carriers can also deliver higher quality and stronger commitment to the priorities of regional communities and their governments," said Lelei LeLaulu, president of Counterpart International. "We look forward to sharing our sustainable development experiences with them and embarking on some exciting partnerships that benefit Caribbean people in the future."

Founded in 1990, Fort Lauderdale-based Spirit Airlines is the largest privately-held airline in the US with 125 daily flights and 2,700 employees. The airline currently has a turnover of US$500 million.

In addition to comfortable Coach Class service, Spirit will offer Spirit Plus, a low cost business class with complimentary cocktails and snacks and 2-by-2 leather seating with an extra 6 inches of legroom versus coach in the Airbus fleet.

Spirit is currently bringing in a new fleet of Airbus aircraft and plans to have completed its fleet renewal by early 2007. Spirit currently has six A319, five A321, and 22 MD-80 aircraft.

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