Tourism reaffirms that direct flights to Europe from San Juan will begin in April

Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR) Chief Executive Officer Carlos Mercado Santiago provided an update today on the gradual recovery of air traffic in Puerto Rico, highlighting important progress in reactivating routes between the island and the main destinations in Latin America, Europe and the Caribbean.

Mercado pointed out that so much Airlines Cup as Weather in Avianca They have already resumed flights to San Juan, serving Panama and Bogota respectively. Copa operates four flights a week, while Avianca covers the San Juan route three times a week.

In the case of European airlines, the Spanish flag carrier is expected to do so Iberia resume flights between Madrid and San Juan in the second quarter of 2021, with frequencies between three and five weeks.

Similarly, the German airline Cóndor announced last weekend that it would resume its non-stop route from Frankfurt to San Juan, with a weekly flight every Saturday from November 2021. Condor customers can now make reservations through the airline’s website.

“Recovering and strengthening air access to Puerto Rico is one of the priorities we have outlined in the plan to gradually reopen the destination of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. In this sense, the preparation for the gradual reactivation of international flights is a step forward “, said Mercado Santiago. “Puerto Rico is a key bridge that connects the United States and Europe to the Caribbean region, so one of the main goals of our air access division is to further facilitate the resumption of flight operations by the end of 2021, in a safe place and responsibility and compliance with the new protocols needed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic ”.

Another important international destination for the island is Canada. Prior to the pandemic, three airlines (Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat) operated non-stop flights during the winter season from Toronto and Montreal to Puerto Rico. Mercado pointed out that the recovery of the Canadian market has been delayed, given the heavy restrictions on Canadians returning to their country and the prolonged cessation of cruise operations. All airlines have committed to the destination with the adjustment of control measures.

In turn, the director of air and maritime access of CTPR, Alejandro Caicedo, He stated that “We are in constant communication with our international partners in order to support their operations in Puerto Rico and regain their seating capacity. Although the pandemic reduced international traffic to and from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport by 70% in 2020, we see several positive developments, with the resumption of operations of major airlines, mainly in Central and South America.

The Caribbean market is also recovering, after major destinations such as the Dominican Republic and the British Virgin Islands began to reopen. Currently, the service has been re-established in about fifteen Caribbean destinations, with over seven airlines serving the region, albeit with a significant reduction in capacity.

In line with Governor Pedro Pierluisi’s commitment to continue to promote Puerto Rico’s economic development, CTPR is working hand in hand with the Department of Health, the Port Authority, the Federal Government and Aerostar Airport Holdings on plans to gradually reopen the destination, with a health approach and promoting responsible tourism.

“In addition to the airlines that already serve the destination, we continuously assess air traffic trends in order to identify new international markets that will open as soon as market conditions allow. As part of our efforts, we work to improve the tourist infrastructure, reactivate and renovate the attractions and, together with Discover Puerto Rico, regain the positioning of our destination in strategic markets “, concluded Mercado Santiago.