Category: News

Contact: Snr. Director, Commercial, Development & Planning

E-mail:    aaj@aaj.com.jm

 FOR RELEASE: Monday, October 30^th 2023

AMERICAN AIRLINES SCHEDULED TO LAUNCH DIRECT FLIGHTS TO IAN FLEMING INTERNATIONAL (IFIA) ON FEBRUARY 24, 2024

American Airlines (AA) intends to expand ‘its wings’ within Jamaica through the introduction of a new route from its hub, Miami International Airport (MIA) in Florida, USA to Ian Fleming International Airport (IFIA/OCJ) in Boscobel, St. Mary, Jamaica. The airline announced the highly anticipated service which is scheduled to commence on February 24^th 2024. This new air service represents the first scheduled international commercial passenger service from USA into IFIA and will operate twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. AA will utilize an Embraer 175 (jet) aircraft with capacity for 76 passengers to provide the service. See flight schedule below:

Note: Above listed times are local to their respective airports

“After more than 45 years of service, we are excited to continue expanding our Jamaica flying with new service to Ocho Rios, becoming the first U.S. airline to offer access to this Caribbean paradise,” said José A. Freig, American Airlines Vice President for International Operations. “With this new route we further strengthen our position as the leading airline in Jamaica, operating this winter more than 100 weekly flights to the U.S.”

“This is a very valuable addition to the aviation needs of Jamaica, with non-stop service between the United States and our country’s third international airport,” “It is a great start and will encourage other airlines to fly into the Oracabessa/Ocho Rios area.” He noted that this would also be a huge plus to the region and also greatly assist in boosting the tourism-development potential for St. Mary and Portland and connecting many members of the diaspora closer to home. The Honourable Edmund Bartlett, CD, MP.

“The Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) is very pleased to welcome the inaugural service of American Airlines from Miami International Airport into Ian Fleming International Airport. As the first scheduled commercial service from the United States, it represents a game changer for Ocho Ríos, and for tourists and national travelers in that part of Jamaica.” Audley Deidrick, President & CEO Airports Authority of Jamaica.

IFIA is Jamaica’s 3^rd international port of entry and is one of the gateways for international passengers to access and experience Destination Jamaica, specifically Jamaica’s north coast, including: Ocho Rios in St. Ann, Oracabessa/Boscobel in St. Mary, and Port Antonio in Portland. AA’s new air service into IFIA is set to bolster passenger throughput at the airport and also the airline’s established operation in Jamaica. AA’s new air service into IFIA represents the continued efforts of the Government of Jamaica, AAJ and its partners to foster route development initiatives at Jamaica’s airports/aerodromes.

The airline currently offers service to Kingston (KIN) from Miami (MIA) and to Montego Bay (MBJ) from Miami (MIA), Austin (AUS), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Charlotte (CLT), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), New York (JFK), and Philadelphia (PHL).

About Ian Fleming International Airport (IFIA/OCJ)

Ian Fleming International Airport (www.ifia.aero) is an international airport located in Boscobel, St. Mary, to the north of Jamaica, at approximately 10km (6.2miles) east of Ocho Rios. The airport provides service to the United States and other Caribbean islands. The name of the airport was derived from the creator of the James Bond novels, Ian Fleming, whose Goldeneye estate is located in St Mary.

Ian Fleming Airport receives new non-stop service from luxury liner QCAS Aero
Published:Jun 22, 2022

ST MARY, Jamaica — The Ian Fleming International Airport on Wednesday welcomed United States-based QCAS Aero Airlines’ inaugural flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Boscobel, St Mary.

The aviation management company will operate an Embraer 145 executive-type, 30-seat aircraft on the route and will fly into Ian Fleming International Airport once per week on Thursdays, with plans to move scheduled flights as of December this year.

“The government of Jamaica is pleased to welcome QCAS Aero to St Mary. This luxury liner will undoubtedly add value to our tourism product, offering our visitors more ways to experience our island. We are certain that this will also have a ripple effect on our small and medium tourism enterprises in the area, by allowing them to get a greater slice of the pie,” said Delano Seiveright, senior communications strategist in the Ministry of Tourism.

The QCAS Aero provides its clients with a private, luxurious airport experience that starts with a warm greeting away from the hubbub of regular commercial traffic, the airline said, adding that onboard, every seat has more legroom than typical first-class seating.

“Additionally, QCAS Aero offers a premium flying experience for members-only that includes valet parking, a private departure process, gourmet meals (including hors d’oeuvres, Jamaican cuisine, and top-shelf beverages), in-flight service, concierge assistance, and expedited arrival processing,” the airline added.

On Thursday, June 16, the airport also welcomed an InterCaribbean Airways flight from Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.

These flights are expected to occur once per month, with a view to transitioning to once weekly. This is ahead of November’s planned commencement of flights from American Airlines into the airport.

The Ian Fleming International Airport was officially opened in 2011. It was named in honour of the late James Bond spy novelist, who made the north-eastern Jamaican parish of St Mary his home while writing the stories, which has spawned the highly successful movie series.

Source: The Jamaica Observer

Ian Fleming airport gets first commercial flight
Published:Thursday | June 16, 2022

The Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel, St Mary has received its first commercial flight.

The airport today saw the arrival of InterCaribbean Airways from Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.

Minister of Tourism Ed Bartlett was among government officials and stakeholders to welcome the passengers and crew.

The airline is scheduled to operate monthly flights but is expected to transition to weekly service later on.

At the time of the announcing plans for international flights at Ian Fleming last December, the Transport Ministry indicated that the move forms part of the efforts of the Airports Authority of Jamaica to increase traffic in and out of the island’s smallest international airport, pumping in excess of US$2 million into the Jamaican economy.

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“This development is particularly important because the largest single employer in the Turks and Caicos Islands is Sandals Resorts, the largest Jamaican-owned luxury all-inclusive resort, with approximately 600 Jamaicans directly employed there and an estimated 6000 Jamaicans and descendants living in the island,” said then Portfolio Minister Robert Montague.

Noting the limitations regarding the size of planes that can fly in and out of the airport, it was said that InterCaribbean Airways would offer 30-seater planes.

Source: The Gleaner