Continental shelves plans to commence flights to Ja

By Denise Clarke, Staff Reporter

Samuels and Forstmayr

WESTERN BUREAU:

JAMAICA'S TRAVEL industry was dealt another blow yesterday as a result of last week's terrorist attacks on the United States, when Continental Airlines announced that it would shelve plans to commence flights to the island later this year.

Continental announced it would end flights to 10 cities as part of moves to pull down service in face of slowing air travel. The airline had planned to start flying to Montego Bay and Kingston from New York-Newark in December.

Flights between Cleveland and London, and New York-Newark to Rio de Janeiro have also been suspended temporarily.

President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) Josef Forstmayr said the decision was understandable, and would not be a huge loss for Jamaica. "While we really regret the decision we certainly understand it in light of this tragedy and the expected downturn in travel. We would expect them to continue to bring business to Jamaica through their different hubs which they have done up to now. It's an airline with 180 seats ...it's not going to be a huge loss," Mr. Forstmayr told The Gleaner yesterday.

Regional manager for the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), Pat Samuels, said the effect of Continental's decision remains unclear at this time.

"It will affect us naturally, but we have to now wait and see how. Tra-vel agents right now are concerned about re-funding ticket sales. JTB is working assiduously to minimise the impact of whatever fallout there might be from this incident," she said.

Back to Lead Stories