Meyers tentatively targets July 1 for JetBlue?s start

As American Eagle stops April 1

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PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Tourism Franklin Meyers said American Airlines Eagle will definitely stop the Puerto Rico (San Juan)-St. Maarten route as of April 1, but added that JetBlue Airlines ?should? start service on the route this year.

� Meyers met with Eagle officials recently in San Juan to discuss the service stoppage but came away with little, other than Eagle officials expressing interest in a revenue sharing scheme with St. Maarten in order to continue servicing the destination.

� Meyers said St. Maarten did not commit to that for two reasons: St. Maarten has never shared revenue or paid an airline to start servicing the island and, secondly, discussions with JetBlue were pending. St. Maarten has guaranteed marketing funds in the past, but never seats or the like. With no commitment on the revenue sharing front, there is no current alternative to prevent American Eagle from stopping its service on April 1.

� Meyers said JetBlue, on the other hand, showed interest in commencing service to the St. Maarten-San Juan route in November of this year. He said he indicated to JetBlue?s officials that St. Maarten would prefer an earlier start and, based on discussions, identified a target date of July 1.��

� For JetBlue to commence service on the route, however, an Embraer 100-seat aircraft would have to be put into service on the route and an entire maintenance crew stationed in San Juan, among other things. Meyers said ?we are in the process of sending information regarding government commitments to JetBlue then we?ll work out the details.?

� When contacted for comment, JetBlue?s Manager of Corporate Communications Allison Croyle said: ?JetBlue remains committed to St. Maarten and is continuously investigating ways to increase our presence in this beautiful destination. Due to competitive reasons, we cannot provide additional details on specific routes which may be under consideration.?

� In the meantime, InselAir will be St. Maarten?s primary link to San Juan with three flights per week.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/14748-meyers-tentatively-targets-july-1-for-jetblues-start.html

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