Western Air to Begin Direct Service to Montego Bay, Jamaica

By Taylor Ferguson
San Andros, Andros – After a successful launch of the Kingston, Jamaica route on April 12, 2010, Western Air will launch daily flight services into Montego Bay, Jamaica on June 11th, 2010. The airline admits that they have quickly found a second home in Jamaica. Rex Rolle, CEO of Western Air states, “There was no question about beginning flight service into Montego Bay. We were so elated by the positive response we received from Kingston that we knew almost instantaneously that Montego Bay would be next on our agenda.” Western Air intends on starting the Montego Bay destination at an introductory rate of $320 roundtrip. Tickets are now on sale at the Western Air Jamaica ticket counter (previously Air Jamaica ticket counter), any Western Air ticket counter, and at all major travel agencies in the Bahamas and Jamaica.

Western Air has been preparing and training their staff in both the Bahamas and Jamaica for the new Jamaica expansion. Check- in at the Montego Bay airport will be conducted by Jamaica Dispatch services. The flight from Nassau to Montego Bay leaves at 9:30 am with a scheduled arrival into Montego Bay at 10:30 am (Jamaica time) and departs from Montego Bay at 11:30 am (Jamaica time) with scheduled arrival into Nassau at 2:30 p.m.

According to Rolle, Western Air is committed to the Kingston and Montego Bay routes by continuing to provide safe, reliable and affordable air services. The company has recently signed a multi- million dollar purchase agreement to acquire three additional aircraft s . The CEO explained that the new SAAB 340 B models are better suited for the new Jamaica routes in particular, as result of their ability to carry one thousand more pounds, higher cruising speed and overall better performance. Rolle also elaborates that the SAAB 340 B is an advancement and later model of the SAAB 340 A that the company currently operates. Delivery of the new aircrafts is expected between 60 and 90 days.
Western Air is the largest privately-owned airline in the Bahamas and is fully Bahamian owned and operated with their main headquarters based in San Andros. Western Air is currently constructing a 4 million-dollar state of the art terminal and maintenance facility at the Grand Bahama International Airport with schedule opening at the end of summer, 2010. Upon completion the facility will serve as the airline’s northern hub and will facilitate the launch of Western Air’s expansion into the South Florida, Northern Bahamas and Jamaica markets. Passengers traveling to and from Jamaica can connect to other destinations in the Bahamas, as Western Air currently flies from Nassau daily to major Bahamian destinations, such as, Freeport, Marsh Harbour, Exuma, Congo Town, San Andros and Bimini.

New Western Air terminal takes shape on Grand Bahama

 

CONSTRUCTION ALREADY UNDERWAY: Construction of the new terminal for Western Air is already underway and is scheduled for completion by late summer.

By Lashann Dames -GBPA

FREEPORT, Bahamas - With proposed completion by the end of the summer, the new $4M dollars state of the art Western Air terminal, currently under construction at the Grand Bahama Airport, will bring added boost to Grand Bahama’s airlift and economy.

Welcoming the news were officials of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited, (GBPA) who applaud Western Air’s investment. “We’re excited and supportive of meaningful ventures that will spur this island’s economy. An expanded terminal gives birth to more employment opportunities for Bahamians. Also, greater airlift means increased traffic with an influx of more visitors from the other islands and aboard,” states Mr. Ian Rolle, GBPA- President.

The new multi-million dollar air terminal is being built at the Grand Bahama International Airport, just west of the airport’s current domestic terminal. Upon completion it will house Western Air’s terminal, corporate office and maintenance facility.

Western Air presently offers 12 flights daily between Freeport and Nassau, six flights daily between Nassau and Marsh Harbour and 4 flights daily between Nassau, Bimini, Exuma, Congo Town and San Andros. They also offer charter flights throughout the Bahamas, Caribbean including Cuba, South and Central America.

 NEW AIR TERMINAL FOR FREEPORT: GBPA and Western Air officials tour site of new $4M air terminal under construction at the Grand Bahama International Airport.  Pictured from left to right are: Ian Rolle, President - GBPA Group, Derek Newbold, Business Development Manager - GBPA, and Rex Rolle, President  & CEO for Western Air.
 
According to Mr. Rex Rolle, President & CEO of the Company, once construction is completed on the airline’s Freeport terminal, the new site will become its Northern Hub. With increase facilities, fleet, and our efficient staff, it is our intent to begin direct flights to Haiti, Jamaica, Turks & Caicos, and eventually Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Mr. Derek Newbold, Business Development Manager - GBPA, is optimistic about the venture. “GBPA is aggressively pursuing new interests and business development for Grand Bahama Island. One of the unique features of our island is a modern airport with US pre- clearance. So, we’re definitely supportive of Western Air’s initiative to take advantage of this feature to expand their business and provide greater access to the island,” states Newbold. Western Air currently has a fleet of 11 aircrafts which includes 5 Saab (33 seaters), 4 Metro III (19 seaters) and 2 Raytheon Beech 1900C (19seaters). The Company is 100% Bahamian owned and operated and is committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable air transport service to the general public.