The appointed executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR), Carlos Mercat Santiago, Provided today an update on the gradual recovery of air traffic in Puerto Rico, highlighting important advances in the reactivation of routes between the Island and major destinations in Latin America, Europe and the Caribbean.
“The recovery and strengthening of air access to Puerto Rico is part of the priorities we have outlined in the plan to gradually reopen the destination of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. In this regard, prepare for the reactivation gradual international flight represents a step forward, “said Mercado Santiago. “Puerto Rico is a key connecting bridge, connecting the United States and Europe with the Caribbean region, so one of the main goals of our air access division is to continue to facilitate the resumption of flight operations for end of 2021, safely and responsibly, and complying with the new protocols required to contain the COVID-19 pandemic ”.
The designated Head of Tourism has highlighted that both Copa and Avianca have already resumed flights to San Juan, serving Panama and Bogota respectively. Copa is operating four flights a week, while Avianca covers the Sant Joan route three times a week.
In the case of European airlines, the Spanish-flagged airline Iberia is expected to resume flights between Madrid and San Juan during the second quarter of 2021, with between three and five weekly frequencies. Similarly, the German airline Condor announced over the weekend that it will resume its non-stop route from Frankfurt to St. John, with a weekly flight every Saturday from November 2021. Condor customers can now make your reservations through the airline’s website.
Another important international destination for the island is Canada. Prior to the pandemic, three airlines (Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat) operated non-stop flights in the winter season from Toronto and Montreal to Puerto Rico. Mercat stressed that the recovery of the Canadian market has been delayed due to strong restrictions for Canadians returning to their country and the prolonged shutdown of operations in the cruise industry. All airlines have committed to the destination once control measures are adjusted.
For his part, the director of Air and Maritime Access of the CTPR, Alejandro Caicedo, “We are in constant communication with our international partners with a view to supporting their operations in Puerto Rico and regaining their seating capacity. Although the pandemic reduced international traffic to and from 70%, at Luis Muñoz Marín Airport during 2020, we see several positive developments, with the resumption of operations of major airlines, mainly from Central and South America. “
The Caribbean market is also in full recovery, after major destinations such as the Dominican Republic and the British Virgin Islands began to reopen. Currently, service has been restored to about fifteen destinations in the Caribbean, with over seven airlines serving the region, albeit with a marked reduction in capacity.
In accordance with the Governor’s commitment Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia to continue to drive Puerto Rico’s economic development, the CTPR is working hand in hand with the Department of Health, the Ports Authority, the Federal Government and Aerostar Airport Holdings on plans to gradually reopen the destination, with a wholesome approach and promoting responsible tourism.
“In addition to airlines already serving the destination, we are continuously assessing air traffic trends with a view to identifying new international markets to open up market conditions as soon as possible. As part of our efforts, we are working to improve the tourist infrastructure, reactivate and renew attractions and, together with Discover Puerto Rico, resume the positioning of our destination in strategic markets “, concluded Santiago Market.
We recommend: