Competition stiffens between Airline carriers to Haiti

United Airlines adds a route to the Caribbean with its inaugural flight to Port-au-Prince Haiti on June 9th and will fly 3 times a week, and daily starting July 1st, Continental will fly daily between Newark International Airport to Port-au-Prince Haiti. The flight will leave Newark at 9:15 AM and land in Port-auPrince at 12:05 PM. The flight to Newark will leave PAP at 1:00 PM and land in Newark at 5:55 PM.

Port-Au-Prince is Continental’s 27th destination in the Caribbean where we are the number 2 airline in flights and cities served” indicated Freddy Rodriguez, country manager for Haiti. Rodriguez pointed out that the merger with United allowed Continental to offer flights to new destinations.

Travelers from New Jersey and Pennsylvania will now have easier access to Haiti thanks to the new route by Continental Airlines. Continental Airlines recently merged with United Airlines in October 2010, and will continue to fly under both brands until the FAA approves a new airline certificate.

Mr. Carl Ferailleur, the airport director(AAN) in Haiti, had his hands full with additional flights coming to Haiti which has to be rebuilt following the earthquake in January 2010. AMCHAM recently spoke with Mr. Ferailleur about Continental coming to Haiti. “Though the airline came at a difficult time following the earthquake, we were able to accommodate Continental”. The airport’s main terminal still has to be rebuilt and several firms are bidding for its reconstruction. “There is a cost to add more airlines, but with the government and private sector working together, we can overcome obstacles to enable the economic development of Haiti” according to Mr. Ferailleur.

Many travelers hope that the increase competition will decrease fare costs and improve service. “This is fantastic!” claimed Pierre Chauvet, President and Director General of Agence Citadelle. He feels that airlines are the top of the supply chain of the tourism industry and will be integral in the rebound of the industry in Haiti. “The more air seats we have, the better it is for the tourism industry” according to Mr. Chauvet.