GRENADA HOLDING ON TO AIR JAMAICA FLIGHTS
by Bevan Springer
Caribbean News Digital

June 18, 2009 -- As the Caribbean struggles for tourism business in the slower summer months ahead, Grenada, “the Spice Island,” is trying to make sure that international air access to the island is the least of its worries.

After recently securing three weekly American Airlines nonstop flights from Miami to St George’s, the Grenada Board of Tourism is coughing up a cool $250,000 to support Air Jamaica’s overnight nonstop flights from New York to the island, in a marketing agreement which starts during the current 10th year of service to the island.

With a new government in office, Grenada - which has the enviable distinction of being the only Eastern Caribbean destination to be served by the 40 year-old carrier - understands the importance of prime positioning in the U.S. marketplace where airfares to the Caribbean rival those being offered from neighboring islands.

That’s why Grenadian tourism authorities have recently retained former Air Jamaica sales executive Christina Mucha and media operative Karin Clarke to augment its sales promotion activities in the northeastern seaboard of the United States, a primary target market for Caribbean destinations.

However, the airline is risking confrontation with the traveling public with its new policy of charging $25 for a second piece of checked luggage for economy class passengers, which the airline says will be transported within seven days.

The new rule is expected to eliminate the “baggage bacchanal” that has plagued the route, especially when load factors are heavy, and in the case of extreme weather where extra fuel takes precedence over luggage.

The challenge facing Grenada is the reduced twice weekly frequency of service compared with an island like Jamaica where delayed bags can most likely be accommodated on another flight that same day.

Nonetheless, the Amsterdam News understands that when load factors aren’t extremely heavy and the skies are clear, there is likelihood that both bags will accompany each passenger upon entering the arrival hall at the recently renamed Maurice Bishop International Airport.

Air Jamaica currently flies between New York and Grenada on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and will add a Friday flight beginning June 26, and a Monday service starting July 13 for a total of four weekly flights through the summer travel season. The airline also returns temporarily to Barbados over the summer with two weekly flights.