As an effort to expand ease of access to Jamaica for US passengers, ultra-low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines has recently launched a new non-stop flight service from Dallas to Montego Bay. With the new route addition, the airline now operates 10 routes to Jamaica, which further helps boost the island’s tourism industry.
Connecting Dallas with Montego Bay
The inaugural flight occurred on May 22nd when Frontier Airlines flight F9 226 departed from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport at approximately 07:03 and made the short three-hour journey before landing at Montego Bay Sangster International Airport at around 10:09.
Just under 100 passengers were warmly welcomed by Jamaican tourism officials upon their arrival, and among them was Donavan White, Director of Tourism for the Jamaica Tourist Board, as he celebrated:
“It is gratifying to welcome another non-stop flight to our island by Frontier. It is an important addition to our existing air service that provides U.S. travelers with yet another convenient option to get to the island.”
While the response for the inaugural flight might have seemed underwhelming, Frontier Airlines is confident that demand will grow as the new route will have an ambitious thrice-weekly frequency. With the deployment of its Airbus A320neos, the budget carrier will ferry a maximum of 558 passengers to Montego Bay weekly. The flight schedule is as follows:
|
Flight number |
Departure time |
Arrival time |
Frequency |
|
F9 226 (DFW – MBJ) |
06:45 |
10:32 |
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays |
|
F9 227 (MBJ – DFW) |
11:47 |
15:55 |
Boosting Jamaica’s tourism industry
Frontier Airlines’ new Dallas-Montego Bay route also brings the total number of Jamaican destinations within its network to 10. The airline also operates non-stop flights to Jamaica from Atlanta and Miami to Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport and from Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, and St. Louis to Montego Bay.
Not only do passengers get an additional air travel option for Jamaica, but the new flight services also help boost the country’s still-recovering tourism industry. Although the country has plenty to offer concerning sceneries, resorts, and food, problems such as crime, natural disasters, and financial and workforce issues have affected tourism.
Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock
But despite the issues, tourism officials are confident that with increasing efforts from the government and partners like Frontier Airlines, the tourism sector will remain and emerge more robust than ever. When welcoming the inaugural flight at Sangster International Airport, Jamaican Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, highlighted:
“I know that things are happening in and around Jamaica, but we are still seeing a very robust economy. The people continue to come, and everybody is playing their part, which is why we are very pleased to continue expanding our partnership with Frontier Airlines. The launch of this new non-stop flight from a key Southern US gateway supports the strong rebound of Jamaica’s tourism sector as we are returning visitor arrivals numbers to pre-pandemic growth levels.”
Bottom line
While Frontier Airlines’ recent growth in Jamaica seems unparalleled for now, the airline’s expansions also come after several of its other low-cost competitors are actively trying their hand at strengthening their presence within the country. Although it is all better news for the country and its tourism industry, it highlights how, pretty soon, Frontier Airlines will have to use more than just low fares to remain competitive in the Jamaican market.
-
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- DFW/KDFW
- Country:
- United States
- CEO:
- Sean Donohue
- Passenger Count :
- 62,465,756 (2021)
- Runways :
- 13L/31R – 2743m (9,000 ft) |13R/31L – 2,834m (9,300 ft) |17L/35R – 2,590m (8500 ft) |17C/35C – 4,085m (13,400 ft) |17R/35L – 4,085m (13,400 ft) |18L/36R – 4,085m (13,400 ft) |18R/36L – 4,085m (13,400 ft)
- Terminals:
- Terminal A |Terminal B |Terminal C |Terminal D |Terminal E
