Today’s report that fruitful follow-up discussions were held with JetBlue for flights from Fort Lauderdale is good news. While the Northeast US seaboard and particularly the tri-state area continue to be the island’s main source market, Florida has surely and steadily increased in significance.
In addition, airfares from “The Sunshine State” to Princess Juliana International Airport SXM have been relatively high of late. Tickets costing from 800 to more than 1,000 US dollars are not uncommon nowadays even during the low season.
Why such expensive rates are currently being applied by the carriers involved such as American Airlines and Spirit is not entirely clear. However, the lack of more competition could have a lot to do with it.
Affordable airlift from American cities remains essential for the destination and its tourism economy, so if JetBlue can help bring prices down that will be a big help. The connections it provides as the biggest airline operating from Fort Lauderdale would be an important benefit as well.
In the meantime, maybe the other carriers should take a closer look at their tariffs when it comes to “The Friendly Island” especially compared to other Caribbean routes. They need to understand that ultimately it’s also in their best interest not to price the destination out of the market and where possible “give us a break.”
