Latin America is a comparatively hot airline market these days. Evidence? Three carriers are either launching new routes or laying on extra flights on key runs.
Here’s what’s up:
- American Airlines is upping the ante between New York Kennedy and Caracas Simon Bolivar International Airport, adding a trio of weekly nonstops on the route as of Nov. 18. That means there will be nonstop New York flights to Caracas five days each week instead of the current two. Thursday through Monday New York flights to Caracas depart JFK at 5 p.m. and arrive Simon Bolivar at 10:30 p.m. Fridays through Tuesdays Caracas flights to New York leave CCS at 11 a.m. and get to the gate at JFK at 3:40 p.m.
- Delta Air Lines is laying on added flight frequencies between its Kennedy hub and the Dominican Republic in the spring and summer of 2012. Look for more New York flights to Santo Domingo as well as more New York flights to Santiago.
- While not a Latin American route per se, this comes close. Iberia just upped the number of weekly Miami flights to Madrid. But laying on a trio of weekly nonstop departures the Spanish flag carrier now sports ten weekly nonstops. For 2012, the move means an added 100,000 Miami – Madrid seats per year. That’s some 37 percent more than in 2011.
Miami is, in effect, the aviation hub of Latin America. American Airline operates a major hub at MIA. Iberia and American partner across the Atlantic. That allows for comparatively “seamless” connections, especially at Miami International. You can fly Iberia from Madrid to Miami, and then connect via American to a slew of Latin American destinations.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: Felipe Gabaldon)
