Delta restarts non-stop service from NY to MoBay
MONTEGO BAY, St James – Delta Airlines, the world’s third largest passenger carrier, has recommenced non-stop service from New York’s JFK International Airport to Montego Bay.
The first flight in more than 20 years arrived at the Sangster International Airport on Saturday at approximately 10:30 am with 128 passengers aboard. The airline will operate on that route six days per week.
“We have reintroduced the New York to Montego Bay service because as we look to expand, we believe that Jamaica has so much to offer right now,” said Richard Pile, Delta’s regional sales manager.
Pile, who was speaking at a brief ceremony in the Sangster’s International Airport’s Menteca Lounge to commemorate the flight, said Jamaica is a destination that Delta believes will make money for it.
“We are very grateful to the Jamaican community and we are confident that we will do very well on this route,” he added.
Jamaica Tourist Board’s regional manager Clive Taffe was also confident that Delta would do very well on its new route.
He said the US North-East area is the “bread basket” for the tourism interests in Jamaica as it is an area where many Jamaicans reside.
Delta first began its service into Montego Bay in 1955 but it was later discontinued.
On Saturday, Taffe said the resumption of the service comes at a time when the island is having record levels of arrivals.
“The arrival of Delta Airlines today (Saturday) from New York has come at a time when in 2006 Jamaica had its best year ever in tourist arrivals,” said Taffe.
The JTB official said, too, that the airline has decided to resume its service to the resort city at a time when Jamaica is having tremendous growth in the accommodation sector.
Preston Jennings, vice-president commercial, MBJ Airports Ltd in welcoming the new service, said that trade and cultural links between nations are enhanced significantly through direct air links, adding that air services generate economic growth and employment.
Delta Airlines is based in Atlanta and is a founding member of Sky Team – a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services.
The airline operates domestic and international network, spanning North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean.
In addition to the New York to Montego Bay route, the airline also operates the Atlanta to Montego Bay as well as the Cincinnati to Montego Bay routes.
