The bankruptcy of American Airlines will mean less air service for the Virgin Islands.
The airline's subsidiary, American Eagle, plans to suspend operations at the San Juan airport potentially halting round trips daily to St. Thomas and St. Croix, according to the Associated Press.
Confirmation of the cutback came via the St. John Source. Allegra-Kean Moorehead, spokeswoman for the Tourism Department, said, "It's definitely concerning," she said.
An American Airlines spokeswoman told the Source, the airline is weighing "several replacement solutions to continue to provide service to the region." That could mean AA would partner with another airline.
The reduction would likely occur as American returns leased aircraft used on the route, part of the strategy to reduce financial obligations and reorganize in bankruptcy.
Three other airlines provide service between Puerto Rico and the VI's: Jet Blue, Cape Air and Seaborne Airlines. The Source quoted Richard Doumeng, a resort executive active in the hotel association, worrying airfares could go up if American Eagle departs.
At the moment, Expedia shows American is selling round trips on the route, for November, for $91.
From the Northeast, you can also use Spirit and United!
From JFK you can use AA – direct flight, 655 lands (currently) at 12:05 – get to St John get a car, pick up some supplies and in your villa by 3:00.
Oh great! I have an American Eagle flight from STT to SJU this summer . . . so far no changes but I’ll keep my eye on it!
yea, but spirit sucks. real bad!
It gets much more complicated from the West Coast (Washington.) We’ve done it all…thru Chicago, NY, Atlanta, Dallas and Miami. We try to avoid San Juan at all costs but sometimes that’s impossible. This makes our route to the Caribbean that much more challenging.
I agree with this article airline passenger should sues JFK. I really don’t know what’s the story behind this but according to what I read, It should be.
I agree with this article airline passenger should sues JFK. I really don’t know what’s the story behind this but according to what I read, It should be.