More competition in the low cost travel market will increase on February 11 when Fly First Class begins service between Fort Lauderdale Florida and Nassau.
Making premium air travel available at affordable rates for individuals is the mission of this airline, according to officials.
The new airline will feature all leather seating for up to 54 people. It also offers complimentary hors d´oeuvres and scheduled charter flights to Nassau from Fort Lauderdale.
As part of the new more competitive airline environment, travelers will be allowed three checked bags weighing up to 70 pounds each.
Fly First Class will join new comers to the Bahamian market, Spirit Airlines, Jet Blue and Song Airlines, providing direct competition to Bahamasair and American Eagle for the Florida market.
Diana Wallace, directing manager of Destinations travel agency, told the Bahama Journal that the new airline offers something that many Bahamian travelers are looking for.
“There is a market for Bahamians who want to travel in luxury,’ Ms. Wallace said
She believes that with another airline, the public will have more options.
As mentioned, the airline market has become very competitive over the past few months with a number of low cost airlines servicing Nassau.
As part of new promotional campaigns designed to keep the airlines abreast of the competition, some of these airlines are offering fares that appeal to both Bahamian travelers and tourists. Many of them are running advertisements in local newspapers and on radio stations.
Because of the demand for seats, Spirit Airlines, which commenced service in January, reportedly plans to increase its number of flights into Nassau.
A recent article published in the South Florida Business Journal indicated that Spirit carried nearly four percent more passengers in January 2005 than the same month the year before.
According to Ben Baldanza, president and chief operating officer at the Fort Lauderdale based Spirit, the January passenger numbers are the highest in the airline´s 14-year history.
“Looking forward, bookings are very strong for winter travel to Florida, the Caribbean, and our newest market, Nassau, Bahamas,’ he said.
In an effort to keep passenger numbers up and to tap more into the local market, Spirit has teamed up with KFC to give away 80 trips on the airline.
Ten trips along with $250 spending money will be given away in a weekly drawing.
Jet Blue, another low fare airline, that now provides service to Nassau out of New York´s John F. Kennedy International Airport, also reported a few days ago that its traffic in January increased 32.6 percent from January 2004.
A statement from the airline said it is a “low-fare, low-cost passenger airline, which provides high-quality customer service.’
The airline started service to The Bahamas in November amid great fanfare.
The national flag carrier, meanwhile, has felt the sting of low cost competition. In order to compete, Bahamasair has introduced a number of initiatives that are expected to boost business.
Managing Director Paul Major said the plan is to win back old customers and attract new ones.
Two of those initiatives are reduced fares into South Florida destinations, and the lowering of fees for oversized, overweight and excess bags.
In a recent interview with the Bahama Journal, Mr. Major said the airline values its customers and is taking the necessary steps to keep them happy – and to keep Bahamasair in business as it prepares for privatization.
“We have watched the market and feel that we have the lowest prices to offer going into Fort Lauderdale and Miami and the only way to do that is
Stephen Gay, The Bahama Journal
8 February, 2005
