Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

US$30 Million Resort ‘Village’ For St. Lucia

The CMV design will include authentic Caribbean cultural elements such as thatched roofs and round benabs that are original to the Amerindians of the Caribbean region.

The CMV design will include authentic Caribbean cultural elements such as thatched roofs and round benabs that are original to the Amerindians of the Caribbean region.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Mar. 17, 2014: A US$30 million resort, dubbed ‘The Caribbean’s own Disney-like Team Park in Paradise,’ is slated for the Village of Dennery in the Caribbean island of St. Lucia.

The Caribbean Market Village, (CMV), is the brainchild of Antiguan-born, U.S. citizen, Sheila Newton Moses of the Manhattan International Group, and is set to be built on the island of the Pitons. Newton Moses will showcase the star-fish inspired all-included, inter- generational tourist project at the biggest investment summit in the U.S. for the global Caribbean, Invest Caribbean Now (ICN) 2014.

ICN is supported by Hollywood Actor Malik Yoba and is set for the Harvard Club, New York from 11:30 a.m. on June 4, 2014.

The CMV, which will be marketed as “The Happiness Place To Be,” will feature an Organic Garden & Learning Center, the ‘St. Lucia Heritage & Legends Trail,’ a Spectator Sports Bar, a Day Spa, a Lounge and Aquarium, an outdoor pavilion, a children’s activity center, a clubhouse and pool, an art gallery row, a clothing and textile row, a restaurant row and an island services row.

The design will include authentic Caribbean cultural elements such as thatched roofs and round benabs that are original to the Amerindians of the region. CMV will also provide vendors with rentals including carts, kiosks, booths, stores and art galleries for local artists to display and sell their work while a cultural center will showcase the culture of each island.

The CVM will be showcased as this year’s project in the spotlight, a new addition to the Invest Caribbean Now’s summit agenda.

WHO’S WHO FOR ICN

Invest Caribbean Now matches investors with projects in the Caribbean and brings investors to the Caribbean and introduces them on a global level to investment opportunities in the region.

This year’s summit will feature top delegates including Hollywood actor and activist, Malik Yoba; Caribbean government dignitaries from across the region, including Premier of Nevis, Vance Amory; Chinese government officials; New York City elected officials; chairman of over two dozen companies throughout the Caribbean, North America, Russia, China, Africa and Great Britain, including Sandals Resorts Chairman, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart; Qahir Dhanani, World Bank Group; Ambassador Richard Bernal, Executive Director, Caribbean, Inter-American Development Bank; Leigh Moran, representing the  US State Department/USAID ‘IdEA,’ Dr. Paul Angelchik, founder, American World Clinics; Collin Childress, CEO, Global Med Choices; Sergio Millian, President of the Russian American Chamber of Commerce; Anthony A. L. Adjasse of the Allied African Nations  Chamber Of Commerce; Li Li, executive director of the Chinese American Business Development Center, Anthony Phills, Founder of the  Caribbean Commerce Magazine/Media and Blinglet Inc. and Irwine Clare, among  numerous global professional investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.

“Caribbean Business seeking to make a global connection, heads of state and those islands seeking investments for economic growth in their country, should be at ICN 2014,” said Christopher Chaplin, vice president at Hard Beat Communications, which produces the summit annually. “The Invest Caribbean Now summit is an event on the move and seeks to build economic power and advance wealth in the Caribbean with this annual presentation in New York City.”

Topics to be discussed in June include the global investment trends and the Caribbean with representatives from Russia, Africa and the USA; the emerging relationship of Chinese tourism & investments In the Caribbean; medical tourism as an economic earner for Caribbean nations, IT and Clean Energy in the Caribbean and The Caribbean Diaspora: A Real Source For Investment?.

Harvard, Princeton and Colombia graduate and Caribbean-born scholar, Dr. Isaac Newton will deliver the keynote address on the issue of economic development and global investment outreach while Woody Wilson, designer to stars like Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Terrance Howard, will launch his Tropical Collection for the Caribbean.

Special partnership and co-branding opportunities for this prestigious event are available by contacting [email protected] or logging on to ICN’s summit page at Investcaribbeannow.com.

Limited early bird tickets to the summit are available by booking here or at investcaribbeannow.com/earlybird

An exclusive Diamond Dinner has been added to this year’s summit for only 20 people who will include Malik Yoba, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart and Woody Wilson among other top Chinese, Caribbean and Russian delegates. Tickets are available on an invitation only basis by contacting Joe Bernstein at [email protected].

ICN PARTNERS

Partners for ICN 2014 include: Hard Beat Communications, The Caribbean Tourism Organization, One Caribbean Television, The Woody Wilson Collection of Beverly Hills, The PR Newswire, the Caribbean Commerce Magazine, Blinglets, The Caribbean Council for Economic Development, the Chinese Business Development Center, Woody Wilson Fine Clothing, CaribPR Wire and News Americas Now.

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SOURCE: Invest Caribbean Now
MEDIA CONTACT

Kathy Bronson

Communications Coordinator

Invest Caribbean Now

[email protected]

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Join the Cruise Industry’s Team with FCCA Membership

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla., March 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) is your way onto a winning team—the cruise industry. FCCA membership cultivates close relationships with the team’s players, coaches and management—Member Line CEOs, presidents and executives deciding what products are sold onboard and where ships call—while letting you showcase your talents and discuss what you offer over a friendly dinner, private one-on-one meeting, cocktail reception or even Caribbean cruise.

“Joining the FCCA gives you direct contact with some of the most influential decision makers in the cruise industry,” says Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line CEO and FCCA chairman.

FCCA membership gets you in and on the minds of these decision makers through two different levels. Associate Members become partners of the FCCA and cruise industry, while gaining benefits like discounts and savings on advertising and event registration fees; collateral support; access to cruise executive meetings and the most up-to-date industry research and trends; and more.

But the real prize is through Platinum Membership, which puts you on a first-name basis with the executives, presidents and CEOs. Besides granting special privileges and complimentary registrations at FCCA events like the FCCA Conference & Trade Show, the Caribbean’s largest cruise conference, Platinum Members attend numerous private events that foster relationship building.

These events bring the Platinum Members and decision makers together in casual, engaging settings for a healthy mix of business and pleasure that helps form significant relationships. Members experience this balance while cementing deals at closing parties or getting an inside look at industry projects on unforgettable tours.

“FCCA events always give me an opportunity to meet valuable industry stakeholders,” shares Adam Goldstein, Royal Caribbean International president and CEO. “These are the people who have ideas and projects I want, and need, to know about.”

If you want to bring cruise lines to your destination; get your product onboard ships; target the audience doing the above at FCCA events; or collaborate to find a specific opportunity for you, the FCCA is your source.

As Micky Arison—Carnival Corp. and past-FCCA chairman—tells, “The FCCA opens the door to the cruise industry and puts you in the middle of the action.”

Go for the win. Become an FCCA member.

For more information about FCCA membership, contact Nathalia Gomez (954-441-8881) or online at: www.f-cca.com

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Seaborne takes off to St. Maarten

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands, March 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Starting today, Seaborne Airlines, the fastest growing airline in the Caribbean, begins new non-stop daily service from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) to The Princess Julianna International Airport (SXM) in St. Maarten becoming the 19th airport Seaborne has launched during its expansion throughout the Caribbean.

From the breathtaking cliffs of Cupecoy to gorgeous sandy beaches like Maho Beach, St. Maarten boasts many popular attractions and night life, only minutes away from Puerto Rico.

Non-Stop Daily Flights

San Juan, PR (SJU) Departure Time 6:45pm

St. Maarten (SXM) Arrival Time 7:45pm

St. Maarten (SXM) Departure Time 8:00am

San Juan, PR (SJU) Arrival Time 9:10am

Fares from San Juan to St. Maarten begin as low as $88 one way, taxes and fees included. Flights can be reserved via SeaborneAirlines.com, Expedia, Travelocity or through your local travel agency.

“St. Maarten is yet another exciting destination in the Caribbean that Seaborne is offering to our customers, as we build important trade and tourism links throughout the Caribbean” said Gary D. Foss, president and chief executive officer Seaborne Airlines.

Seaborne has shown dramatic growth during the past months. Just recently, Seaborne announced service to its 18th airport, Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ) with non-stop service from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) effective April 15, 2014.   Santo Domingo will be Seaborne’s fourth destination within the Dominican Republic, the others being La Romana, started in December, 2013; Punta Cana beginning February 14, 2014 and Santiago beginning March 15th, 2014. For more information please visit www.seaborneairlines.com or follow us in social media networks: facebook/seaborne and @flyseaborne.

Seaborne recently announced the relocation of its headquarters to San Juan, Puerto Rico to be effective in March, 2014.

About Seaborne Airlines
Seaborne Airlines has been operating in the Caribbean for over 20 years, carrying over two million customers safely. With over 2,100 monthly departures to eighteen airports planned by April, 2014. Seaborne serves San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, Vieques, St. Thomas airport and seaplane base, St. Croix airport and seaplane base, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, La Romana, Dominican Republic, St. Kitts, Nevis, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in February, 2014; and St. Maarten and Santiago, Dominican Republic in March 2014 .  All flights operate with two pilots and twin engines under Federal Air Regulation Part 121, the strictest code of the US Federal Air Regulation governing air travel.

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My Haiti Travels Concludes Successful “Impact Week” Voyage And Unveils New “Jacmel Getaway” Vacation Package Scheduled In May 2014

myhaiti

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Impact Week Haiti 2014 tour in Port-au-Prince, presented My Haiti Travels

Impact Week Haiti 2014 tour in Port-au-Prince, presented My Haiti Travels

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. February 27, 2014: My Haiti Travels, a New York-based boutique concierge firm that produces high-quality travel experiences with a social impact for groups seeking to explore Haiti for leisure and business purposes, successfully presented its second annual “Impact Week” signature expedition to Port-au-Prince, Haiti in January.  My Haiti Travels also announced the introduction of its new “Jacmel Getaway” to be held on Thursday, May 22 to Monday, May 26, 2014. An unforgettable travel experience that will explore art, film and a taste of Caribbean life, the “Jacmel Getaway” will take tourists on an enchanting journey into the cultural center of Haiti.

Building upon its inaugural “Impact Week” voyage, My Haiti Travels doubled the number of 2014 participants to 30 U.S.-based travelers.  Ranging in age from teenagers to baby boomers, the diverse group represented a multicultural mix of tourists of Haitian, African-American, Latino and European descent.  Once again, My Haiti Travels staff worked diligently with local professionals across Haiti’s hospitality and tourism sector to provide a safe, meaningful and fun experience.  Travelers are invited to save the date for the next “Impact Week” Haiti tour that is scheduled on January 15-19, 2015.

The 2014 “Impact Week” trip exposed tourists to a variety of cultural landmarks and excursions, including touring the Haitian National Museum, mountain hiking to Kay Piat followed by swimming in a natural spring and a souvenir market outing.  Entertainment and leisure activities consisted of live music, fine dining and a private rum tasting.  Guests also enjoyed deluxe hotel stays at the BW Premier Petion-Ville and Wahoo Bay Beach Club & Resort on the Arcadins Coast, a popular Caribbean beach destination.

To commemorate the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday in the U.S., “Impact Week” featured a Project Day for the second consecutive year to provide volunteer services to students of PRODEV’s (Progress and Development through the Youth of Haiti) Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje in the Village de La Renaissance.  Established in 1995 to empower the youth of Haiti through education, PRODEV is a Haitian-led non-profit, non-political foundation officially recognized by the government of Haiti.

A new “Jacmel Getaway” vacation package, scheduled during the Memorial Day Weekend holiday in the U.S., will expand upon My Haiti Travels’ current offerings in the island nation’s capital of Port-au-Prince to the vibrant town of Jacmel.  Located in the Southeastern part of Haiti, Jacmel is renowned for its carnival, film festival, talented artisans, colonial architecture and serene waterfalls.

“Haiti’s tourism industry has tremendous potential, and we are very pleased with the growth of our signature Impact Week voyage as well as our new Jacmel Getaway vacation package in May of this year,” said Dina Simon, founder and managing director, My Haiti Travels.  “Our Jacmel Getaway promises to be an unforgettable travel experience for all couples, singles and art lovers seeking a little taste of Caribbean life in the cultural center of Haiti.”

The 2014 “Jacmel Getaway” is a complete vacation package comprising a full schedule of activities.  The all-inclusive five-day and four-night itinerary features premium hotel accommodations, private ground transportation including round-trip airport transfers and travel to Jacmel, art and film expeditions, live Haitian cultural performances, private chef and dining at top restaurants, a masquerade party and souvenir shopping at local Haitian artisan shops.

The My Haiti Travels agency was founded by Dina Simon shortly following the devastating earthquake of January 2010 to support the resurgence of tourism and investment in Haiti, and to promote the patronage of local businesses, hotel and resort establishments and restaurants.  With a vision to showcase “Haiti Through Our Eyes,” My Haiti Travels delivers a mix of civic and social activities that capture Haiti’s rich culture, which is rooted in Taino, European and African heritage.  Haiti is the first independent sovereign nation in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the first black republic in the world when it declared independence from France during the Haitian Revolution on January 1, 1804.

2014 media partners of “Impact Week” included Bel Ti Fi, Crème Magazine, Haitian All-Starz, The Haitian Times, HaitiXChange, Kiskeácity, Lumiere Magazine, Manman Pemba, Radio Soleil and The Stewardship Report.

A discounted early-bird registration rate for the “Jacmel Getaway” vacation package is now available through March 22, 2014.  For more information regarding the upcoming “Jacmel Getaway” scheduled on May 22–26, 2014, please contact My Haiti Travels at [email protected] or visit www.JacmelGetaway.com

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About My Haiti Travels

My Haiti Travels (MHT) is a New York-based boutique concierge firm that coordinates and produces high-quality travel experiences with a social impact for groups seeking to explore Haiti for leisure and business purposes.  Each January My Haiti Travels presents the IMPACT WEEK tour (www.ImpactWeekHaiti.com), a five-day and four-night all-inclusive voyage filled with leisure activities, volunteerism, networking and touristic exploration of Port-au-Prince, Haiti during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday.  The inaugural JACMEL GETAWAY vacation package (www.JacmelGetaway.com) will be presented by My Haiti Travels on May 22–26, 2014 during the Memorial Day Weekend holiday.  To educate people about Haiti and its rich culture, My Haiti Travels also publishes the “Haiti Through Our Eyes” newsletter that features guest blogs and travel stories.  Follow My Haiti Travels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr and YouTube.

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Dominica Hotelier Urges St. Vincent Prime Minister To Step Aside As Chair Of LIAT

CaribPR Wire, PORSTMOUTH, Dominica , Tues. Feb. 25, 2014: Dominica hotelier, Gregor Nassief, is urging St. Vincent & the Grenadines Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves, to step aside as chairman of the shareholder’s committee of regional airline LIAT, in a fourth open letter to the shareholders. Nassief insists that since Gonsalves believes LIAT can never be profitable, then the airline urgently needs a new chairman and ‘general’ who can find a new approach for taking LIAT and the Caribbean aviation industry forward without a perpetual and unfair burden on the treasuries of St. Vincent, Antigua, Barbados and Dominica. The open letter follows.

February 25, 2014

Honourable Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

LIAT (1974) LTD

V.C. Bird International Airport

P O Box 819

Coolidge

Antigua

Dear Prime Minister Gonsalves:

Re:  Run it like a business before it goes out of business

On the televised program Time to Face the Facts on Sunday, February 23rd, I appealed to you to step aside as Chairman of the Shareholder’s committee of LIAT.  As mentioned on the program, given the respect and admiration I have for you, particularly on your stance and leadership on issues such as reparations and the cholera outbreak in Haiti, it was personally difficult for me to do this.  But it is necessary.

LIAT has moved from an operational meltdown in the Summer of 2013 to a financial meltdown a mere 7 months later.  LIAT drains our treasuries, operates inefficiently and stifles competition.  The source of LIAT’s problem is its financial unsustainability and as with everything else at LIAT, no one is accountable.  As Chairman of the Shareholder’s committee, the buck stops with you.

LIAT needs to fight the battle of its life to transform itself to be financially viable and sustainable.  But you believe, and have stated so publicly, that LIAT can never be profitable.  This battle, therefore, needs a different general.

Unsustainability

LIAT has lost ec$120m in the last four years.  Last month, LIAT could not pay both the lease on its aircraft as well as its payroll.  So it chose one and delayed the other.  A leased ATR gives 36% more seat capacity than its closest Dash 8 equivalent but is double the (lease) expense.  In 2015, repayments will begin on LIAT’s recent loan of us$65m to purchase new aircraft.   So monthly cash outflows go up even more.

And the new inflows to cover this?  Inter-island tourism is down 60% in 7 years and LIAT’s load factor is running at about 55%.  The fantasy (aka “business plan”) is that the load factor will go up to 75%.  The fantasy is also that LIAT will fly its way out of losses by expanding to new destinations – Jamaica, Haiti, Aruba, Panama, and eventually to cities in North and South America.

LIAT employs 850+ people, flies 22 destinations, operates between 10 and 12 aircraft from 2 hubs (3 if you count Trinidad) to move 800,000+ passengers a year to generate massive losses.

So it’s bail out time again.  Call on shareholders, and call on other good neighbors so that we can continue to drain our treasuries, operate inefficiently and stifle competition.  And for you this is acceptable because LIAT should not be run like a business and can never make a profit.

Our fragile economies can no longer support perpetual bailouts.  If we do not take the bull by the horns LIAT will go out of business – it will employ no one, fly nowhere, operate no aircraft and use no hubs.  But alas, it will generate no losses and competitive players will fill the gaps because LIAT, the airline unfairly propped up by perpetual subsidies, will not be there to run them out of business.

LIAT must therefore immediately begin a journey towards financial sustainability to save itself.  But if the leader does not believe in the journey, then the journey will never begin.  It is on this basis, with full respect and admiration, that I ask you to step aside as Chairman of the Shareholder’s committee, so that a new mandate to make LIAT financially sustainable can be ushered in.

Sustainability

The new chairman of the Shareholder’s committee needs to believe that the battle can be won.  And what needs to be done is not rocket science.

Appoint a Chairman and a Board capable of turning around the financial fortunes of the company and running a top-notch airline.  Give them the authority and autonomy to do what needs to be done.  Allow them to appoint a CEO and restructure the management team as necessary.   Allow LIAT to become a real business free from political interference tasked with a perfect safety record, high employee satisfaction, great customer service and solid financial performance.  A fierce focus on the company’s finances with adjustments made to yield (including renegotiation of government/airport taxes), network efficiency and operating costs will be required.  The resulting operation will have fewer employees, fewer destinations and fewer aircraft.  It will be profitable, dependable and it will deliver great service.  Like any airline, unprofitable routes will continue only with guarantees from the interested party/government.  But at least then, the taxpayers will know what they are paying for, and can make that decision.  And other/smaller airlines will take up the slack.  Competition will flourish, as will LIAT, and the Caribbean will finally get the airlift network it needs.

With a restructured board and executive, confidence in the airline’s financial performance will be established and other Caribbean governments may even want to invest.

At the right time, joint venture the company while maintaining a minimum 50% shares among shareholder governments.  The two best run airlines in the world (Singapore Airlines and Air Malaysia) are run like a business and are profitable and remain owned 50% or more by the State and 50% or less by private interests.  Like LIAT, they were bleeding losses and their shareholder governments could no longer manage the bailouts.  So they took the tough decisions, appointed the right board and executive team, and turned the airlines around to the benefit of all stakeholders.

Yes, it will be painful, but it is necessary.  And most importantly it will pull LIAT back from the financial cliff and put it on a course to long term financial sustainability.

Please consider that I am a hotelier from an island that is almost 80% dependent on LIAT for airlift.  Cut one route to Dominica, and we/Dominica will suffer.  But if my option is (a) to continue to have all the LIAT routes we have today with an airline that is prone to poor service, ad hoc cancellations, occasional and irrational pilot strikes and constantly at the edge of a financial precipice due to insurmountable financial losses – OR – (b) an airline with fewer routes but with good service, dependable schedules and solid financial performance, then my choice is definitely the latter.  And other airlines, once permitted, will take up the slack.

In Summary

Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”  And then finally, he invented the electric light bulb.

We have lived through and exhausted the many ways that LIAT won’t work.  It is time to try the way that will.

I appeal to you, Prime Minister Gonsalves, as well as the other Shareholder Prime Ministers, to mandate a new approach for taking LIAT and the Caribbean aviation industry forward without this perpetual and unfair burden on our treasuries.

It is time to run it like a business before it goes out of business.

Respectfully Yours,

Gregor Nassief

Owner/Director – Secret Bay

Executive Chairman – Fort Young Hotel

cc:        Honourable Dr. Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda

Honourable Freundel Stuart of Barbados

Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica

p.s.       As we again desperately seek additional funds for yet another bailout, make it the last please.  Don’t put the money into the black hole of an unsustainable business model.  Instead, use it to restructure the airline, rationalize its operations and place it on a solid long term footing.  In other words, make it the last bailout!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Mr. Nassief’s full letter is also available at http://www.scribd.com/doc/209141390/Letter-to-LIAT-Chairman-of-LIAT-s-Shareholders-Committee-February-25-2014-from-Dominica-Hotelier-Gregor-Nassief

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Air Canada rouge to Offer More Caribbean Destinations this Summer from Toronto and Montreal

22 per cent more seats to the Caribbean than last summer

More flights from Montreal to Cancun, Port-au-Prince and Punta Cana

MONTREAL, Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – Air Canada today announced that its leisure carrier subsidiary, Air Canada rougeTM, is expanding its choice of more Caribbean destinations this summer. Routes previously operated by Air Canada from Toronto and Montreal to Cuba, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Barbados, Haiti, Cancun and Tampa, FL, will be converted beginning this spring to Air Canada rouge service. Together with its previously announced 2014 summer schedule to Europe, Air Canada rouge plans to operate a total of 44 routes serving 28 popular vacation destinations, including continuation of its summer routes – Athens, Edinburgh and Venice – and new service to Barcelona, Dublin, Lisbon, Manchester, Nice and Rome.

The conversion of additional Caribbean vacation destinations to Air Canada rouge service represents an increase of 22 per cent more seats on these routes to the Caribbean this summer than last. The increase is greatest from Montreal where there will be in an increase of 36 per cent more seats on these routes and 20 per cent more flights than last summer with the introduction of additional flights to Cancun, Port-au-Prince and Punta Cana.

“Customer response to Air Canada rouge for vacation travel has been very positive since it started flying just last summer,” said Ben Smith, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. “The addition of more year-round Caribbean destinations to Air Canada rouge’s network is the next logical step as our leisure carrier enables us to compete on a more cost effective basis on these routes while leveraging the strength of Air Canada Vacations. Air Canada rouge’s Caribbean services complement this summer’s significant expansion to new European vacation destinations including Nice, Lisbon and Manchester, in addition to new service to Milan served year-round by the mainline carrier. The growth of Air Canada rouge, in tandem with Air Canada’s mainline fleet renewal and international network expansion, continues to be a key element of Air Canada’s strategy for sustainable, profitable growth.”

By the end of March 2014, Air Canada rouge’s fleet will include four Boeing 767-300ER aircraft and 13 Airbus A319 aircraft transferred from Air Canada. Air Canada’s mainline fleet renewal is ongoing with the introduction of new aircraft. Air Canada is scheduled to take delivery in February 2014 of the last of five new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to enter its mainline fleet since June 2013, and the first three of 37 Boeing 787 aircraft by the summer of 2014. Air Canada is scheduled to take delivery of a total of six 787 aircraft in 2014 and the remaining 31 between 2015 and 2019.

For its 2014 summer schedule, Air Canada rouge will operate flights to the following popular vacation destinations available with optional Air Canada Vacations packages. Flights and vacation packages are now available for purchase at aircanada.com and through travel agents:

Europe: Flights from Toronto to: Athens, Barcelona, Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, Manchester and Venice. Flights from Montreal to: Athens, Barcelona, Rome and Nice.

Mexico: Flights from Toronto to Cancun, and Montreal to Cancun*.

United States: Flights from Toronto and Montreal to: Orlando and Las Vegas, and from Toronto to Tampa*.

Caribbean and Central America: Flights from Toronto to: Barbados*, Jamaica (Kingston, Montego Bay); Grenada; Nassau*, Bahamas; the Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Samana); Cuba (Varadero, Cayo Coco, Holguin and Santa Clara) and Costa Rica (San Jose and Liberia).
Flights from Montreal to: Cuba (Cayo Coco*, Holguin* and Santa Clara*); Haiti (Port-au-Prince*) and Dominican Republic (Punta Cana*).

New Air Canada rouge services indicated by an asterisk (*), previously operated by Air Canada’s mainline carrier, will be converted to Air Canada rouge service on a phased-in basis beginning March through May 2014 as additional aircraft are released by the mainline airline for operation by its leisure carrier.

Air Canada rouge operates a fleet consisting of Boeing 767-300ER and Airbus A319 aircraft. The carrier’s aircraft feature three customer comfort options: rougeTM, rouge PlusTM with preferred seating with additional legroom, and Premium rougeTM with additional space and enhanced service on the Boeing 767-300ER and on select Airbus A319 routes. Air Canada rouge offers a unique brand of customer service designed to make every flight a memorable start and end to a wonderful vacation. Aircraft are equipped with player, a next generation in-flight entertainment system that wirelessly streams entertainment to customers’ personal electronic devices. Flights provide stylish and modern cabin interiors with innovative new seats, and the ability to earn and redeem Aeroplan miles. For more information and bookings, visit: http://www.aircanada.com/en/about/rouge.html

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada’s largest domestic and international airline serving more than 175 destinations on five continents. Canada’s flag carrier is the 15th largest commercial airline in the world and in 2013 served more than 35 million customers. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 60 Canadian cities, 49 destinations in the United States and 67 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,328 destinations in 195 countries. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax that ranked Air Canada in a worldwide survey of more than 18 million airline passengers as Best Airline in North America in 2013 for the fourth consecutive year. For more information, please visit: www.aircanada.com.

About Air Canada rouge

Air Canada rouge is Air Canada’s new leisure airline, part of the Air Canada Leisure Group, along with Air Canada Vacations. Together with Air Canada Vacations, Air Canada rouge offers competitively-priced travel to exciting leisure destinations in Europe and the Caribbean, Mexico and the U.S.: Edinburgh, Venice, Athens, Lisbon, Dublin, Nice, Barcelona, Rome and Manchester and multiple destinations in Mexico, the U.S. and the Caribbean such as Cuba, Costa Rica, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

Air Canada rouge began operating July 1, 2013 with a start-up fleet of two Airbus A319 aircraft and two Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. The fleet grew to ten aircraft by the end of 2013 with the addition of six Airbus A319 aircraft and Air Canada rouge plans to add another five Airbus A319 aircraft and two Boeing 767-300ER aircraft by end of March 2014, for a total of 17 aircraft.

As a wholly-owned subsidiary, Air Canada rouge is backed by Air Canada’s 75-year reputation for safety and reliability and Air Canada Vacations’ 30-plus year history of vacation travel excellence. Learn more at www.aircanada.com/rouge or www.facebook.com/aircanadarouge

About Air Canada Vacations

Air Canada Vacations is a leading Canadian tour operator offering a wide assortment of leisure travel packages, cruises, and flights to destinations around the world. A repeat recipient of the Consumer’s Choice Award for Best Travel Wholesaler, Air Canada Vacations services over 100 destinations in the Caribbean, Central & South America, Asia, Europe, and in the U.S. And now, Air Canada Vacations will feature Air Canada rouge on several of its top vacation routes. For more information, visit www.aircanadavacations.com

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Air Canada’s public communications may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions and are subject to important risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements cannot be relied upon due to, amongst other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including without limitation, industry, market, credit and economic conditions, the ability to reduce operating costs and secure financing, pension issues, energy prices, employee and labour relations, currency exchange and interest rates, competition, war, terrorist acts, epidemic diseases, environmental factors (including weather systems and other natural phenomena and factors arising from man-made sources), insurance issues and costs, changes in demand due to the seasonal nature of the business, supply issues, changes in laws, regulatory developments or proceedings, pending and future litigation and actions by third parties as well as the factors identified throughout Air Canada’s public disclosure file available at www.sedar.com. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent Air Canada’s expectations as of date of this news release and are subject to change after such date. However, Air Canada disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

For further information:

Contacts :
Isabelle Arthur (Montréal) 514 422-5788
Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto) 416 263-5576
Angela Mah (Vancouver) 604 270-5741

Internet : aircanada.com

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InterCaribbean Announces New flights to San Juan, additional services to Kingston, Santo Domingo and Cap Haitien

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, Jan. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Recently Air Turks & Caicos unveiled its new name-change to InterCaribbean Airways. We are now pleased to announce new schedule air service connecting Providenciales to San Juan and additional flights to Kingston Jamaica, Santo Domingo and Cap Haitien.

Now traveling interCaribbean Airways is convenient, affordable and available to business and leisure travelers with the introduction of these new routes. The Citizens, Residents and Visitors of the Turks & Caicos Islands looking to create new business and leisure opportunities can take advantage of the following flights starting January 20th 2014, and can now book immediately.

Flight No Dep Arr Days Dep Time Arr. Time

PROVO TO SAN JUAN

JY291 PLS SJU Mo We Fr Su 12:45 PM 03:35 PM

SAN JUAN TO PROVIDENCIALES

JY292 SJU PLS Mo Tu Th Sa 02:10 PM 03:00 PM

PROVO TO KINGSTON

JY250 PLS KIN Mo Tu Th Sa 04:25 PM 06:05 PM

KINGSTON TO PROVIDENCIALES

JY251 KIN PLS Mo We Fr Su 10:25 AM 12:05 PM

PROVO TO SANTO DOMINGO

JY233 PLS SDQ We Fr Su 12:45 PM 0300 PM

SANTO DOMINGO TO PROVIDENCIALES

JY234 SDQ PLS Tu Th Sa 03:30 PM 03:45 PM

PROVO TO CAP HAITIEN

JY211 PLS CAP Daily 09:35 AM 10:25 AM

JY213 PLS CAP Mo We 03:40 PM 04:30 PM

CAP HAITIEN TO PROVIDENCIALES

JY212 CAP PLS Daily 10:55 AM 11:45 AM

JY214 CAP PLS Mo We 05:00 PM 05:50 PM

Flights from Providenciales will also open opportunities to other destination making connections within the Caribbean Islands a reality. To book a flight contact your local travel agent, call interCaribbean at 649-946-4999, or book on line at www.flyairtc.com (coming soon the new interCaribbean.com website)

About interCaribbean Airways

interCaribbean Airways (formerly Air Turks & Caicos) is the national carrier of the Turks & Caicos Islands and operates a fleet of Embraer 120 and Beech 99 aircraft operating flights domestically to Grand Turk and South Caicos, and International flights to Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Santiago in the Dominican Republic, to Cap Haitien and Port Au Prince in Haiti, to Kingston, Jamaica to Nassau in the Bahamas and now new services starting January 20th 2014 to San Juan Puerto Rico.

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InterCaribbean launches New Flights to San Juan from Puerto Plata and Samana

PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic, Jan. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – After Air Turks & Caicos recently unveiled its new name-change to InterCaribbean Airways – we are pleased to announce commencement of flights to and from San Juan, Puerto Rico effective January 20, 2014. Our new air service schedules connect San Juan with non-stop flights to Puerto Plata and to Samana in the Dominican Republic and additional flights from Puerto Plata to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.

Now traveling from The Dominican Republic is affordable and available to business and leisure travelers with the introduction of these new routes. The citizens, residents and visitors of Puerto Plata and Samana looking to create new business and leisure opportunities can take advantage of the following flights and book immediately.

Flight No Dep Arr Days Dep Time Arrival Time

PUERTO PLATA TO SAN JUAN

JY292 POP SJU Tu Th 11:50AM 1:20PM

JY235 POP SJU Fr Su 2:00PM 3:30PM

SAN JUAN TO PUERTO PLATA

JY291 SJU POP Mo We 4:25PM 5:55PM

JY236 SJU POP Fr Su 4:25PM 5:55PM

SAMANA TO SAN JUAN

JY292 AZS SJU Mo Sa 12:05PM 1:20PM

SAN JUAN TO SAMANA

JY291 SJU AZS Fr Su 4:25PM 5:40PM

Flights from Puerto Plata and Samana to San Juan, Puerto Rico offer opportunities for business and leisure and easy connections to a host of other destinations, making connections within the Caribbean Islands a reality. To book a flight contact your local travel agent, call interCaribbean at 1-888-957-3223, or book on line at www.flyairtc.com (coming soon: the new www.interCaribbean.com website)

About interCaribbean Airways

interCaribbean Airways (formerly Air Turks & Caicos) is the national carrier of the Turks & Caicos Islands and operates a fleet of Embraer 120 and Beech 99 aircraft operating flights domestically to Grand Turk and South Caicos, and International flights to Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Santiago in the Dominican Republic, to Cap Haitien and Port Au Prince in Haiti, to Kingston, Jamaica to Nassau in the Bahamas and now new services starting January 20th 2014 to San Juan Puerto Rico.

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InterCaribbean Announces New Jamaica International Flights

Kingston to Santo Domingo, and one stop same plane to San Juan, Puerto Rico

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Jan. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – Recently Air Turks & Caicos unveiled its new name-change to InterCaribbean Airways. We are now pleased to announce new schedule air service connecting Kingston to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic with 3 weekly flights and, a 4th non-stop service to Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands. InterCaribbean also launches services 4 times a week San Juan, Puerto Rico via a quick connection in Providenciales. Travelers to San Juan can save as much as half a day of travel time making same day business possible.

Travel from Kingston is now affordable and available to business and leisure travelers with the introduction of these new routes. For Citizens, Residents and Visitors of Jamaica who are looking to create new business and leisure opportunities, take advantage of the following flights starting January 20th 2014, and book immediately.

Flight No Dep Arr Days Dep Time Arrival Time

KINGSTON TO SANTO DOMINGO

JY234 KIN SDQ Tu Th 10:30AM 01:20PM

JY234 KIN SDQ Sa 12:00PM 02:50PM

SANTO DOMINGO TO KINGSTON

JY233 SDQ KIN We Fr Su 03:40PM 04:30PM

KINGSTON TO PROVIDENCIALES

JY251 KIN PLS Mo We Fr Su 10:25PM 12:05PM

PROVIDENCIALES TO KINGSTON

JY250 PLS KIN M Tu Th Sa 04:25PM 06:05PM

KINGSTON TO SAN JUAN

JY251 KIN PLS Mo We Fr Su 10:25PM 12:05PM

connecting to

JY291 PLS SJU Mo We Fr Su 12:45PM 3:35 PM

SAN JUAN TO KINGSTON

JY292 SJU PLS Mo Tu Th Sa 2:10PM 3:00PM

connecting to

JY250 PLS KIN Mo Tu Th Sa 4:25PM 6:05PM

Flights from Kingston to Santo Domingo, San Juan and Providenciales make connections across a wider area of the Caribbean a reality. To book a flight contact your local travel agent, call interCaribbean at 1-800-572-7628 or book on line at www.flyairtc.com (coming soon: the new www.interCaribbean.com website)

About interCaribbean Airways

interCaribbean Airways (formerly Air Turks & Caicos) is the national carrier of the Turks & Caicos Islands and operates a fleet of Embraer 120 and Beech 99 aircraft operating flights domestically to Grand Turk and South Caicos, and International flights to Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Santiago in the Dominican Republic, to Cap Haitien and Port Au Prince in Haiti, to Kingston, Jamaica to Nassau in the Bahamas and now new services starting January 20th 2014 to San Juan Puerto Rico.

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Seaborne Airlines Announces Move of Headquarters to Puerto Rico

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands, Dec. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Seaborne Airlines announced today that it has reached agreement with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to relocate corporate headquarters from St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands to San Juan, Puerto Rico, as part of a multi-faceted arrangement. Under the agreement, Puerto Rico will take an equity position in the airline and have two seats on the Board of Directors of the parent company of Seaborne, Coastal International Airways. Seaborne Airlines has committed to the creation of 400 jobs in Puerto Rico. 150 of the 400 positions will be added in Puerto Rico in the first quarter of 2014. This will bring total Seaborne employment in Puerto Rico to 250 people. The move is contemplated to be complete by March, 2014.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131218/MX35758)

Seaborne will also add a number of routes important to Puerto Rico’s tourism and export growth. On December 12, the carrier started service from San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport to La Romana in the Dominican Republic. On January 15, the carrier will add service from San Juan to St. Kitts and Nevis. On February 14, Seaborne plans to begin service from San Juan to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. On March 1, new service from San Juan to St. Maarten, Seaborne’s 16th airport will launch. These San Juan routes are being serviced by four additional Saab 340B, 34-seat aircraft. Seaborne anticipates having a fleet of 16 Saabs based in Puerto Rico.

No change to existing routes, or Seaplane operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is planned as a result of this agreement.

The agreement also calls for rebranding of Seaborne’s San Juan-based operations.

“There is little that is more important to economic development than global air access” said Gary Foss, president and chief executive officer of Seaborne Airlines. “This agreement will strengthen Puerto Rico’s ties with the rest of the Caribbean and position Seaborne as being Puerto Rico’s favorite airline, for connecting customers from our partner carriers, or for customers traveling to or from Puerto Rico to neighboring islands”. Seaborne operates as an American codeshare partner in select markets at San Juan and has interline connecting agreements with JetBlue Airways and coming soon with Delta Air Lines.

“Seaborne’s thanks go out to the leaders of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico who have made this day a reality”, said Foss.

“We happily welcome Seaborne Airlines relocation to Puerto Rico, with their new hub of operations in San Juan, and our new partnership with Coastal International Airways. This partnership is important for reconnecting Puerto Rico to the Caribbean islands and also is an investment in jobs, commerce, new business opportunities and economic development. We have, in a year, recuperated routes that were discontinued during recent years in the Caribbean and now we are strengthening our position as the main hub in the region and connection to the United States”, said Governor Alejandro Garcia-Padilla.

About Seaborne Airlines Seaborne Airlines is giving the Caribbean the service they deserve with 98% of all scheduled flights operating. Seaborne has been operating in the Caribbean for over 20 years, carrying over two million customers safely. With over 2,600 monthly departures to sixteen airports planned by March, 2014. Seaborne serves San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, Vieques, St. Thomas airport and seaplane bases, St. Croix airport and seaplane bases, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe and La Romana, Dominican Republic. St. Kitts, Nevis, Punta Cana and St Maarten are planned for the 1Q 2014. All flights operate with two pilots and twin engines under Federal Air Regulation Part 121, the strictest code of the US Federal Air Regulation governing air travel.

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InterCaribbean Airways increases flights to Cap Haitien from Providenciales

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands, Dec. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – interCaribbean Airways (interCaribbean) formerly Air Turks & Caicos, announces the addition of new afternoon flights from Providenciales (PLS)  to Cap Haitien (CAP) on a Monday and Saturday with effect from January 20th 2014.

interCaribbean Airways attended the Airline Routes Conference in Las Vegas in October this year, where the ideas were discussed at meetings with the Ministry of Tourism representatives.  interCaribbean held a follow up meeting with  the Ministry of Tourism Delegation to Providenciales, together with the Consul for Commercial and Cultural Affairs from the Consulat d’Haiti in Providenciales in November where the Ministry indicated a willingness to support additional flights.

InterCaribbean Airways will offer with this new service, for visitors, citizens and residents of The Turks & Caicos Islands the chance to be able to take a day trip, with a morning flight departure and an afternoon return flight.  The new flights will afford the opportunity to visit the Citadel, take in cultural aspects of the Cap Haitien Area in Northern Haiti, and also enjoy the Creole Cuisine for Lunch, said Trevor Sadler, CEO of interCaribbean Airways.

About interCaribbean Airways

interCaribbean Airways (formerly Air Turks & Caicos) is the national carrier of the Turks & Caicos Islands and operate a fleet of Embraer 120 and Beech 99 aircraft operating flights domestically to Grand Turk and South Caicos, and International flights to Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Santiago in the Dominican Republic, to Cap Haitien  and Port Au Prince in Haiti, to Kingston, Jamaica and Nassau, Bahamas.  Flights may be booked online at flyairtc.com, visiting the company Call Centers, Airport locations, or preferred Travel Agent.   (our new website is under development at interCaribbean.com)

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Aeropost brings innovative new parcel locker technology. Revolutionizing package pickup – 24/7!

MIAMI, Dec. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Aeropost and its Aerocasillas subsidiaries, the region’s leading e-commerce logistics provider has partnered with Integer.pl Group, the owner of the largest network of parcel lockers worldwide.  In the months to come, the first parcel lockers will be deployed in Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala, followed by rollouts in Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Panama and the Dominican Republic. The project for the Miami based company calls for launching over 100 innovative machines across 30 countries and islands, revolutionizing U.S. to Latin America cross-border trade in the region.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131211/FL31893LOGO )

The innovative devices made by the Integer.pl Group allow for Aeropost customers to have a self service option to pick up their packages 24 hours a day/7 days a week and in as little time as 7 seconds.

“We are very excited to bring this technology and innovative solution to the region.  Aeropost has continually pushed boundaries enabling e-commerce in Latin America and Caribbean, and this is just one more example of the convenient and forward thinking solutions we provide to merchants and customers alike,” said Jeff Duchesneau, COO of Aeropost.

Aeropost is a cross border e-commerce solution for LATAM customers shopping online in the USA. Aeropost’s network includes 37 countries and 100 stores that provide local presence for payment, package pickup and online shopping assistance.

Integer.pl Group is the second largest postal group in Poland, which includes the largest private post office – InPost, an independent financial and insurance provider – InPost Finance and revolutionary InPost parcel lockers. The company has been quoted on the Warsaw Stock Exchange since 2007, and, together with InPost and InPost lockers have been successfully revolutionizing the Polish postal and courier sector.

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interCaribbean Airways Announces the Launch of the “Name that Plane” Competition

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands, Dec. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — interCaribbean Airways (interCaribbean) formerly Air Turks & Caicos, the national airline of The Turks & Caicos Islands announces the launch of the “Name that Plane” Competition.

Recently the company unveiled its new name, brand and colorful logo to reflect the Greater Pan-Caribbean along with the expansion of air service in Western Caribbean in the upcoming months. The company will shortly take delivery of its next aircraft painted in the new vibrant brand colors.  interCaribbean is pleased to invite the Citizens and Residents of the Islands to which we fly, to help the company select the name for our next plane.

As the winner of the competition we will fly you on one of our flights to Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands as our guest to officiate at the christening ceremony of this aircraft.  As the winning entry, you not only have the opportunity to be a part of this special event, but in winning you will also receive (2) round trip tickets to any one of the exciting destination.

To enter simply visit flyairtc.com (our current website), and start your journey with interCaribbean Airways by entering the competition from the home page.  Let your imagination run wild by giving us your suggested names.  Please try not to use more than 25 letters but be inspired by the Islands you love, your travel style, perhaps your own name,  or a memory and passion for the Islands …. Just keep in mind the name has to represent a connection to one or more of the islands.

May the best plane name win!.  The rules are really quite simple and details are listed on the signup page.  Air Turks & Caicos looks forward to hearing your fantastic name ideas.

About Air Turks & Caicos – Air Turks & Caicos is the national carrier of Turks & Caicos Islands, operating a fleet of Embraer 120 and Beech 99 aircraft, with flights domestically to Grand Turk and South Caicos, and International flights to Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Santiago in the Dominican Republic, Cap Haitien and Port Au Prince in Haiti, Kingston in Jamaica and Nassau in the Bahamas.  New Services to San Juan commence in early 2014.  Flights may be booked online at www.flyairtc.com by visiting company customer care centers, airport locations or your local travel agent.

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The Name You Know, The Brand you will love!

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands, Nov. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Air Turks & Caicos, the national airline of Turks & Caicos Islands announces the changing of its name to InterCaribbean Airways.  The “interCaribbean” name was chosen to reflect the greater Pan-Caribbean expansion of air service in the Western Caribbean in the coming months.  With this a new slogan adopted to reflect the mission…. Connecting you and the Caribbean.

For the first time, travelling between the islands of Western Caribbean may take an hour or two instead of a day or two.  For years the ability for business and leisure explorers to travel between the islands has been nearly impossible.  With the forthcoming expansion of air services, the citizens, residents and visitors will be able to travel faster and easier to create new business and leisure opportunities.

Mr. Lyndon Gardiner, the chairman of Air Turks & Caicos said “it is important for us to capture the life and the color of the Islands.  We believe our new brand and colors represent all of the Caribbean.”   Air Turks & Caicos selected design firm, Lila Design Associates, to create the development of the new brand.  “An important part of this process was to translate the airline’s vision in producing a Pan-Caribbean brand that reflects the route expansion and growth of network plans.” says Norbert Lambriex, the founding partner and creative director of Lila Design.  The lively and joyful Caribbean colors are renowned worldwide and should be recognized while our brand matures into a timeless and powerful image.   The logo represents elements of the sea, air, palm trees and flamingos.

About Lila Design – Lila Design is a Netherlands based boutique branding company specializing in airline and corporate jet designs.  Lila Design focuses solely on aircraft exterior paint scheme (livery), brand design solutions, specification of personal jets and commercial airliners. To learn more about this creative design firm, visit www.liladesign.com

About Air Turks & Caicos – Air Turks & Caicos is the national carrier of Turks & Caicos Islands, operating a fleet of Embraer 120 and Beech 99 aircrafts, servicing flights domestically to Grand Turk and South Caicos, and International flights to Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Santiago in the Dominican Republic, Cap Haitien and Port Au Prince in Haiti, Kingston in Jamaica and Nassau in the Bahamas.  Flights may be booked online at www.flyairtc.com or by visiting our call centers, airport locations as well as your local travel agent.

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JetSuite Expands Service To The Caribbean

New Routes From Eastern US To Warm-Weather Hot Spots Including The Bahamas, Anguilla and Turks & Caicos


IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – JetSuite, the nation’s fastest growing private jet charter company, has expanded service to include non-stop flights to popular locations in the Caribbean just in time for the holiday travel season.  Passengers can now fly non-stop from the east coast to St. Maarten (TNCM), Anguilla (AXA), Turks and Caicos (MBPV), as well as Nassau (MYNN) and Eleuthera (MYEH) in The Bahamas on the JetSuite Edition Citation CJ3. These six-passenger aircraft can fly up to 2,000 miles, and offer free onboard WiFi, increased interior comfort and speeds up to 480 miles per hour.

“Our mission revolves around making private air travel accessible to more people than ever before, and offering an unprecedented level of transparency,” explains JetSuite CEO Alex Wilcox. “Expanding our service to the Caribbean solidifies our position in New York, the busiest jet charter market in the world.”

The first private aviation company in history to guarantee an online quote, JetSuite is also introducing enhancements to its JetSuite.com website that will make booking holiday travel even easier:

  • New Mobile Site – JetSuite passengers can now easily run a guaranteed quote on their mobile device while either on the go or while reclining in a JetSuite Embraer Phenom 100 or Citation Edition CJ3, all fully WiFi-equipped
  • Find Nearest Airport – Click on the “?” in the Instant Quote box on JetSuite’s homepage to search for the closest airport within 25-200 miles of your desired zip code origin or destination. Hovering over the results will reveal the airport fees for each airport, so you can determine whether you’d like to select your airport based upon location OR price

And for those travelers hoping to snag a last-minute escape, JetSuite continues to offer its popular SuiteDeals on its Facebook page. Select destinations and one-way flights for the following day are offered at prices as low as $536. Keep in mind this price is not person; it’s for the entire jet!

For more information, visit www.jetsuite.com or www.facebook.com/JetSuiteAir

About JetSuite
JetSuite’s vision to provide the freedom and exhilaration of private air travel to more people than ever is realized through transparent pricing, efficient operations, acute attention to detail, acclaimed customer service, and industry-leading safety practices. Offering a WiFi-equipped fleet of the industry’s most fuel efficient jets, the company continues to redefine private aviation.  Under the leadership of CEO Alex Wilcox, a JetBlue founding executive, JetSuite is rated Platinum by ARG/US, the highest possible safety rating in the private jet industry.  In 2013, the FAA’s 2012 Diamond Award of Excellence and National Air Transportation Association’s Five Star Award were both bestowed upon JetSuite for the achievements of the company’s highly regarded maintenance department.

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TOURISTS RETURN TO HAITI FOR SECOND ANNUAL “IMPACT WEEK” VOYAGE SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 16 – 20, 2014

impactweek

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY — October 7, 2013:  My Haiti Travels, a U.S.-based boutique concierge firm that coordinates high-quality travel services to Haiti for leisure and business travelers, announced its second annual “Impact Week” signature international expedition to Haiti.  Scheduled for January 16-20, 2014, the all-inclusive five-day and four-night travel package will feature cultural activities, premium hotel and beach resort stays, volunteerism and touristic exploration of Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince and the Arcadins Coast, a popular Caribbean beach destination.  The inaugural “Impact Week 2013” trip was hailed by travelers as a fun, rewarding and safe experience.  With a mission to expose a positive image of Haiti and help stimulate the local economy, “Impact Week 2014” will showcase Haiti’s authentic beauty and history through the eyes of the My Haiti Travels agency.

Founded by Dina Simon shortly following the devastating earthquake of January 2010 to support the resurgence of tourism and investment in Haiti, My Haiti Travels representatives liaise with hotel and resort establishments, restaurants and professional tour guides to provide unique experiences tailored to each client’s specific needs, lifestyle and budget.  Led by a bi-lingual staff and local professionals across Haiti’s hospitality and tourism sector, “Impact Week 2014” offers an exclusive itinerary of live music and entertainment, beach resort activities and fine dining in the trendy Pétion-Ville neighborhood of top restaurants and premier social hot spots.

Travelers will also enjoy notable museum exhibitions, mountain hiking, artisan market visits and city tours of Haiti that capture its long and renowned history as the first independent sovereign nation in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the first black republic in the world when it declared independence from France during the Haitian Revolution on January 1, 1804.  The robust tour schedule also allows quality time for individual exploration of Haiti’s dynamic Taino, African, Latin and French ancestry.

“The vision for Impact Week is to make Haiti the ultimate multicultural experience for travelers, and to offer the perfect mix of civic and social interaction,” said Dina Simon, founder and managing director, My Haiti Travels. “We are excited to invite travelers to join us in January to experience Haiti through our eyes.”

For the second consecutive year, “Impact Week” is scheduled during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday in the United States, and will include a Project Day to provide volunteer services to elementary students of PRODEV (Progress and Development through the Youth of Haiti). Established in 1995 to empower the youth of Haiti through education, PRODEV is a Haitian-led non-profit, non-political foundation officially recognized by the government of Haiti.

A discounted early-bird registration rate is now available through November 2, 2013.  For more information and to register for “Impact Week 2014,” visit www.ImpactWeekHaiti.com.

Media partners of “Impact Week 2014” include Bel Ti Fi, Haitian All-Starz, The Haitian Times, Kiskeácity, Radio Soleil and The Stewardship Report.  For sponsorship inquiries, media partnership opportunities and more information regarding “Impact Week Haiti 2014,” please contact My Haiti Travels at [email protected].

About My Haiti Travels

My Haiti Travels (MHT) is a U.S.-based boutique concierge firm that coordinates high-quality travel services to Haiti for leisure and business travelers.  My Haiti Travels will host U.S. multicultural professionals during its second annual IMPACT WEEK HAITI trip, a five-day and four-night all-inclusive French-Caribbean voyage filled with leisure activities, volunteerism, networking and touristic exploration of Port-au-Prince, Haiti during the Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) holiday weekend on January 16 – 20, 2014.  To educate people about Haiti and its rich culture, My Haiti Travels also publishes the “Haiti Through Our Eyes” newsletter that features guest blogs and travel stories.  For more information, please visit www.ImpactWeekHaiti.com and follow My Haiti Travels on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram and YouTube.

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Dominica Hotelier Calls for Resignation of LIAT’s Chairman

Mr. Gregor Nassief

Mr. Gregor Nassief

CaribPR Wire, PORSTMOUTH, Dominica, Mon. Aug. 19, 2013: Dominica hotelier, Gregor Nassief, has issued a second letter to LIAT, this time to the Chairman of LIAT’s Board of Directors, Mr. Jean Holder, calling for his resignation.  The letter, titled ‘Blameless and Shameless,’ calls for accountability in “what is probably LIAT’s worst operational crisis in its 56 year history.”   The letter calls on the Chairman to address the issues, and adds: “If you are unable to force the necessary executive changes at LIAT then you must step up to take responsibility for the current crisis.”  The public complaint is enclosed for publication.

August 19, 2013

Mr. Jean Holder

Chairman of the Board of Directors

LIAT (1974) LTD

V.C. Bird International Airport

P O Box 819

Coolidge

Antigua

Dear Mr. Holder:

Re:  Blameless & Shameless

I attempted to reply to your last e-mail dated August 12th, but this time my reply was returned with the message “The following organization rejected your message: owa.liat.com.”  As you have blocked my ability to communicate with you via e-mail, I will respond through this letter.

As a reference, I have attached our e-mail exchanges, including my rejected reply, which you never got.  This is not to expose or ridicule you.  In fact many may see wisdom in your points and arguments and come to your defense.

I, however, do not see wisdom, I see avoidance, apathy and a clinging to the notion that LIAT’s management is not in control of or responsible for what is probably LIAT’s worst operational crisis in its 56 year history.  Worst is that you take comfort in an assumption that we are all better off with LIAT than without it, so we should effectively put up and shut up.  That is, in essence, your attitude and your response.  And despite your promise to reply to my letter “in some detail in the very near future,” to date you have addressed none of the issues raised.

Address the Issues, Please

I refer to my open letter dated August 11th titled ‘Heads Must Roll’ and ask the questions again:

Did LIAT appropriately plan for the fact that pilots had to be taken off line for ATR training?

Did LIAT appropriately plan for the fact that pilots trained on the ATRs could not fly Dash 8s?

Why did LIAT reduce its Dash 8 fleet before the ATRs were fully operational?

Why was such a high-stakes venture undertaken during the peak summer season?

Was there a contingency plan for things not going perfectly?

Your CEO, in what amounts to a letter of apology to LIAT customers, published in the Trinidad Guardian on August 16th, speaks of “severe weather conditions” and “airport limitations.”   Amazingly, the letter ends with “we will be open and honest in communicating with you as we address your concerns.”

Let me ask a direct and open question to you and your CEO:  Of the LIAT flights that have been delayed or cancelled since June 1st 2013 until today, please tell me what percent are due to “severe weather conditions” or “airport limitations?”

Another open question – and this one for the benefit of your ultimate shareholders, the taxpayers of the Caribbean: What has this crisis, since June 1st, cost LIAT in terms of having to pay for passenger overnights, food, ground transportation, chartered flights from several other Caribbean carriers to move passengers around, overtime hours, additional contracted crew and so forth?

And then there is of course the unimaginable economic cost to the region as a result of this disaster.  Imagine a class action law suit where everyone claimed for lost time, missed connections and mental anguish.  Imagine the tourism industry stakeholders of the various islands being part of the suit and claiming lost revenue?

A recent couple visiting Dominica for a vacation experience who suffered greatly at the hands of LIAT wrote us the following: “We truly enjoyed the island and we have been to many of the neighboring islands as well. Each has been a different and equally pleasant experience but we will not be back if LIAT is the airline we have to fly. The people of the Islands may not have a choice but we do and our choice will be to go somewhere where we are treated better by the airline and have a fighting chance of getting to our destinations reasonably on time.”

Multiply this by thousands and thousands.  Do you begin to understand the damage and what is at stake?

Your CEO, the key decision maker at LIAT responsible for planning the Dash 8 to ATR transition, who has finally apologized but who has taken no direct responsibility for the planning and implementation errors that have occurred, continues to hold his position.

My letter of August 11th also outlined three incidents/areas where I believe LIAT’s public relations has been disastrous.  Your only response to this has been: “I agree that in the circumstances our PR has not been as effective as it should be.”  Your Commercial & Customer Experience Director, the depth of your indifference to what your customers are suffering, continues to hold her position.

If you are unable to force the necessary executive changes at LIAT then you must step up to take responsibility for the current crisis.

Napoleon once said: “To get power you need to display absolute pettiness; to exercise power, you need to show true greatness.”   I ask you to put the pettiness aside, show true greatness, and resign.  Resign because it is the honorable thing to do, resign because it will set an example of accountability to the sitting and future Directors and Executives, resign because the people of the Caribbean and the visitors to the Caribbean need to see that after the more than two months of suffering that LIAT has put them through that at least one person stands tall, takes the blame and feels the shame.

In Closing

Let’s roll back the clock.  It is June, 2013, and LIAT’s latest edition of Zing Magazine has just hit the back pockets of passenger seats.  Your Commercial & Customer Experience Director opens the issue with: “We are looking forward to a fantastic summer of service.  We hope you’ve realized by now that LIAT is about one thing: YOU!  Yes, this year is the Year of the Customer and we want to make you feel special by giving you the service you deserve.”

How did we get from there, to here?  Oh yes, right, “bad weather,” “airport limitations.”

It is time to care.  It is time for change.  Heads must roll.

Respectfully Yours,

Gregor Nassief

Owner/Director – Secret Bay

Executive Chairman – Fort Young Hotel

ps:        To the staff of LIAT.

A recent visitor wrote to us: “If the governments of the Island who own the airline required that senior management spend some time at the counters dealing with passengers it would at least give these managers a true incentive to improve because the issue stems from the top and not the lower level employees.”

The few moments of calm I experienced in my own tribulations over the last two months were given to me by a member of LIAT staff at the check-in counter in Dominica and an air stewardess on a flight from Trinidad.  A caring attitude, a caring smile and clear communication.  I thank them for this.

I appeal to LIAT’s staff not to fall temptation to work stoppages and strikes.  You will simply be moving the victims – your customers, LIAT’s reason for existence – from the torture chamber to the electric chair.  You will be joining your management in not caring.  Instead, join the call for an executive shake-up at LIAT.

It is time to care.  It is time for change.  Heads must roll.

cc:        LIAT Board of Directors

Prime Ministers of Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Barbados and St Vincent & the Grenadines

=== EMAIL EXCHANGE BETWEEN DOMINICA HOTELIER & LIAT CHAIRMAN ===

=== FIRST E-MAIL BELOW IS THE REJECTED E-MAIL THAT NEVER REACHED THE CHAIRMAN ===

=== e-mail addresses and telephone numbers removed ===

From: Gregor Nassief

Date: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 10:11 PM

To: Jean Holder

Subject: Re: Letter to the LIAT Board of Directors

Dear Mr. Holder,

My family arrived last night, and I was very happy that their arrival was only 26 hours late under the circumstances.   Really – no sarcasm – I was relieved.  Many have suffered much worse.  Thanks for your note of concern.  It is appreciated.

I think our e-mail exchanges are not productive, and it is better we speak.  There is a significant disconnect.  From your perspective, your example below of the ATR being down for maintenance proves your point that LIAT management is not responsible while I believe it perfectly proves my point that LIAT management is responsible.  As stated in my letter, had LIAT planned all of this properly, had you contracted pilots to support the transition, had you not returned Dash 8s before the new fleet was operational, had you put in place solid contingency plans, then such an event as what you outline below would not bring the airline to its knees.  Your executives ignored the advice of many, including your pilots, but you refuse to deal with these issues.  Proper planning would have cost LIAT much less and what this crisis is now costing you.  Who is responsible?  I still await a detailed response to my letter.

If you are not prepared to force executive changes at LIAT then you should gracefully step down and take responsibility for the crisis, and let someone who thinks they can make a difference step up.  If I am managing a business in crisis, and I do not feel I can put things right, that everything that goes wrong is beyond my control and ability to improve, then I am in the wrong place, and I need, for the benefit of the business and its customers, to step aside.

Your statement below is interesting: “I hope that when your turn for judgement comes you find a judge with more milk of human kindness than you seem to demonstrate.”  If you, your CEO and your chief commercial officer had such human kindness, you would step aside out of consideration for your customers.  Where is your kindness to them?  As for my kindness, I had a lot of it, more than most, until LIAT sucked it out of me – consistently, dependably and ruthlessly.

My telephone number is below for future communication if you wish to speak, or meet.  I am more than willing.  This is not personal.  I simply believe that the people of the region, and our visitors to the region, deserve better – much better.  It is time that LIAT’s management is held accountable.

Gregor

1 767 XXX XXXX

From: Jean Holder

Date: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 2:32 PM

To: Gregor Nassief

Subject: RE: Letter to the LIAT Board of Directors

Dear Mr Nassief

Let me begin as is proper to express my sincere regret for the experiences of your wife and family and I very much hope that they have reached home. I understand your concern and even your anger.

We are not in any disagreements about the broad principles of management and holding staff at any level accountable. There is a lot of work to be done at LIAT and changes to be made. More work is going on in this area than you seem to know.

I also know the value of encouraging staff and not publicly bashing them, especially when they are being attached on every side.

We  seem, howeve, to have some difficulty agreeing on what situations are, and what are not, caused by incompetence and at what level.

Let us examine a real and existing case. An LIAT airline with brand new engines and 68 seats arrived in Barbados on Sunday. That airline can move 68 persons at a time and is programmed to do 6 sectors. It is quite capable therefore of making a significant contribution to reducing the backlog of passengers all over the system-north and south- caused by other breakdowns.

When it lands there is a puff of smoke in one engine and oil is leaking. An examination by experts  reveals that a new   engine is needed. It has to be flown into Barbados and the plane cannot be ready for re-entering the operation until next Saturday 17th August. Incompetence? No. Very bad luck.

LIAT does everything in its power to deal with the backlog , including wet leasing aircraft. Even this proves difficult as all airlines are stretched at this time.

The impact of this, added to less traumatic incidents,  is that several people remained stranded both at Barbados and at other destinations. The struggle to move them continues but there is progress being made.

Once people are stranded you seem to judge the cause as major incompetence by LIAT’s management and wish the axe to fall.

I hope that when your turn for judgement comes you find a judge with more milk of human kindness than you seem to demonstrate.

Have a Good Day

Best Regards

Jean Holder

From: Gregor Nassief

Sent: Monday, August 12, 2013 1:12 PM

To: Jean Holder

Subject: Re: Letter to the LIAT Board of Directors

Dear Mr. Holder,

Thanks for your reply.  At this moment, my wife Sandra, and our two Children Gaston (8) and Manuela (6) are stuck in St. Marteen as the flight (LI 509) was cancelled last night.  Just a moment ago, LIAT informed her that she could travel tonight to Antigua, and then hopefully to Dominica on Tuesday.  What should have been a 1 hour flight is unfolding into a 36+ hour journey.  This is happening every day, day after day to hundreds, possibly thousands of passengers.

My letter to you and the board deals with executive incompetence at LIAT and the issue of accountability.  This is the matter I would like addressed by you and the board.  The issues are specifically outlined in the letter.  Do you hold your management accountable for the current situation as well as the PR blunders?  And if so what will be done about it?

I am not questioning the decision to buy new ATRs nor am I discussing whether Dominica and LIAT are better off with or without each other.

As long as the board and the executive believes that LIAT’s problems are beyond their control, and that the region on balance is better off with LIAT, then we will get nowhere.  We need a board and an executive team that feel that they can make a difference and they can operate an efficient airline that provides great customer service.   We all understand weather delays, and the fact that safety trumps all else.  We do not understand executive incompetence like what has been demonstrated over the past 8 weeks.  This is what I would like addressed.

My choice should not we whether I want to live with LIAT or without it, it should be whether I want to live with an airline that provides disastrous service or one what provides great service.  I along with the entire Caribbean of course choose the latter.

As you know, any turn around at any organization, private or public, begins at the top.

I would be happy to speak with you as well to discuss the issues.

Regards,

Gregor

From: Jean Holder

Date: Monday, August 12, 2013 9:19 AM

To: Gregor Nassief

Subject: RE: Letter to the LIAT Board of Directors

Dear Mr Nassief

I wish at this time to acknowledge receipt of your email of 11 August 2013 and the letter attached.

I intend to reply to it in some detail in the very near future.

First, however, I wanted to apologize without delay for the problems faced by you and your customers and to any one who has been inconvenienced by LIAT’s present difficulties.

Having been in this business first for 15 years as Head of the Caribbean Tourism Research and development Centre, then another 15 as Head of the Caribbean Tourism Organization and almost 10 as Chairman of LIAT, I appreciate that the customer is always right and I apologize if for any reason whatever LIAT has not been able to deliver what it promised. WE are hard at work to deal with the present difficulties and to deliver a better service.

I mention my experience because I am no stranger to Dominica’s challenges over some 40 years with tourism and air transportation and am willing to have either a private or a public discussion about it with you.  In experiencing the difficulties you mention it is easy to forget that LIAT has stuck with Dominica whence all others have fled for many decades and that in more recent times as American Eagle has left LIAT has supplied the connection to San Juan thus helping to maintain the connection with the students-  a lifeline to Dominica.

The arguments you presented about the ATR and the timing of its introduction sound very familiar to me and this is not the first time nor you the first source from which I have heard them, almost word for word.  There are other technical arguments for a contrary position.

Moreover, unless you are dealing with these matters every day, it is impossible to fully understand the chaos which is caused in a complicated network like LIAT, if at the beginning of every day 3 or 4 planes of your relatively small fleet break down and throws out the schedule. Recovery is difficult. This has happened consistently at LIAT. I noticed that in your letter there is no mention of the times that our pilots who make the very challenging landings at Dominica have to contend with weather and sometimes have to divert to another airport for the safety of the passengers. I agree that in the circumstances our PR has not been as effective as it should be.

The question to you is, would you take the responsibility of waiting until there is a major disaster and people die, to replace the old planes? You fortunately do not have to make the choice.

Finally, If LIAT did not fly to Dominica at all would you be better off?

Let us continue to speak, privately if you wish, or in  public. I believe you will find that on balance LIAT has done Dominica more good than harm.

Best Regards

Jean Holder

From: Gregor Nassief

Sent: Sunday, August 11, 2013 9:30 PM

To: Jean Holder

Subject: Letter to the LIAT Board of Directors

Mr. Holder,

Please find attached a letter to the LIAT Board of Directors.

It is being forwarded to the media.

The damage that has been done to the region and especially to Dominica over the last 2 months is extensive.

It is a call to action for you and your Board to hold your executives accountable for their actions and I hope it is taken seriously and acted upon.

Best Regards,

Gregor Nassief

Owner/Director – Secret Bay

Executive Chairman – Fort Young Hotel

EDITOR’S NOTE: Gregor Nassief is involved in the tourism business in Dominica and the technology business in Latin America.  He is the Owner and Director of Secret Bay, the Executive Chairman of the Fort Young Hotel and the CEO of Tecsys Latin America.

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The World’s Largest Message-in-a-Bottle is Lost at Sea

- Ask Caribbean locals to keep their eyes open

OSLO, Norway, Aug. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – The story of the high-tech 30 feet long message-in-a-bottle, which uploaded pictures while crossing the Atlantic, has gained attention world wide, but last Sunday the bottle lost its satellite connection. Now the bottle is in the proximity of the Caribbean islands and the company behind the project is asking people in the area to keep a look out.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130814/634061-a )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130814/634061-b )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130814/634061-c )

The giant bottle was released to the ocean currents outside of Tenerife on March 15th. Besides its own twitter account (@solosoftdrink) it comes with state-of-the-art tracking equipment allowing fans to follow its progress across a world map online, along with a 360 degree camera taking photos every eight hours. But after last week’s heavy sun storms, the satellite connection is down and the company is for the moment not able to get updates on the bottle’s whereabouts.

“We are asking for people in the area to keep a lookout and notify us with any information,” says Joakim Sande, CEO of Solo, the Norwegian soft drink that is behind the project.

“As soon as the bottle drifts ashore and the finder gives us a call, we will come right down and throw him or her a celebration party,” says Sande.

Safety precautions

All kinds of security measures have been taken to ensure that the bottle will not be of danger to others at sea. It has AIS, navigation lights and is built in radar reflecting material that cannot sink.

“We believe Solo is the best soda in the world, but unfortunately not enough people outside of Norway have had the chance to taste it yet. Deciding who should be the lucky ones to get a taste was too heartbreaking, that is why we decided to leave it to the ocean currents in the first place. With the satellite connection lost, it has become an even more authentic message-in-a-bottle and it will definitely be interesting to see where it comes ashore,” says Joakim Sande.

On Solo.no/en people can guess where the bottle ends up. The winner receives a bottle of Solo per nautical mile the bottle drifts, which at the moment of disappearance was a whopping 3539 bottles.

Lost contact

If you have any relevant info about the bottle’s whereabouts please call +47 22069480 or notify Solo on their Facebook page.

“It has been one week since the last position relay. Now we hope to hear back from passing ships or someone spotting it from the air – or indeed if someone should find a big yellow bottle on their local beach,” says Sande.

The world’s largest message-in-a-bottle was launched five months ago and was consequently voted the world’s best PR-stunt by adsoftheworld.com in April. It was expected to cross the Atlantic in about 70 days, but has taken its time – more than 150 days have passed so far.

For more information, contact Joakim Sande, CEO of Solo: [email protected] // (+47)95-43-92-87.

Free video and photos can be downloaded here: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58710-solo-worlds-largest-message-in-a-bottle

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Dominica Hotelier Calls for Executive Changes at LIAT

CaribPR Wire, PORSTMOUTH, Dominica, Mon. Aug. 12, 2013: Dominica hotelier Gregor Nassief has issued an open letter to the Board of Directors of regional airlines LIAT calling for an executive shake-up, insisting that “heads must roll.”  The letter complains of disastrous customer service over the past two months as well as disastrous public relations and the damage this is causing to the region and to fragile economies of island states like Dominica so dependent on tourism and the airline’s service. The public complaint is enclosed for publication.

August 12, 2013

Board of Directors

LIAT (1974) LTD

V.C. Bird International Airport

P O Box 819

Coolidge

Antigua

Dear Directors:

Re:  Heads must roll

I respectfully ask you, on behalf of the people of the Caribbean, and the people that visit the Caribbean, and especially on behalf of the people of Dominica who depend on LIAT for their travel and also for their tourism industry, to enforce significant change in the executive ranks at LIAT.

This request is being made first because of 8+ weeks of disastrous customer service which continues to this day due to lack of foresight and planning on the part of LIAT’s executives, and second because of LIAT’s disastrous public relations which has revealed the depth of your executives’ indifference to your customers.

It is your duty to hold your executives accountable for their actions and performance.

Disastrous Service

There has been a complete breakdown in service for over 2 months now, which I and most persons traveling LIAT have experienced.  Here is a list of incidents:

Date Flight Number First name Incident
Aug 11 509, SXM to DOM Sandra & family Flight cancelled
Aug 11 364, BGI to DOM Johan Left 4+ hours late
Aug 11 523, DOM to BGI Janet Left 2+ hours late
Aug 8 310, POS to DOM Gregor Left 55 minutes late
Aug 7 726, POS to DOM Dennis & family Left 2+ hours late and family had to overnight in BGI before getting to DOM the following day
Aug 7 590, DOM to POS Gregor Left 2+ hours late, arrived just before 2 AM
Aug 4 565, SJU to DOM John & Susan Flight cancelled, arrived on the 6th
Aug 4 565, SJU to DOM Melissa Flight cancelled, arrived on the 6th
Aug 4 523, BGI to DOM Jack Arrived 11 hours late
Aug 3 310, DOM to SXM Monique Arrived 11 hours late, missed connecting flight
Jul 23 362, DOM to ANU Shane & Adam Arrived 8 hours late, missed connecting flight to London
Jul 23 364,  BGI to DOM Gary & family Arrived to Dominica 8 hours late
Jul 23 704, POS to DOM Gregor Arrived 4 hours late
Jul 19 362, DOM to SLU Anne Left 8 hours late
Jul 15 361, DOM to POS Gregor Left 2 hours late
Jul 13 563, ANU to DOM Jenny & Brett Arrived 4 hours late
Jul 13 563, ANU to DOM Nick & wife Arrived 3 hours late
Jul 13 563, ANU to DOM Robert & wife Arrived 3 hours late
Jul 20 561, DOM to SJU Robert & wife Left 4 hours late
Jun 21 512,  GEO to DOM Mahadeo, Rudolph, Tomesh, Doodnauth Flight cancelled for 3 successive days, arrived DOM on 24th
June 15 509, SXM to DOM Justin, Mario & Fitzroy Flight to DOM rerouted to ANU, 1st overnight in ANU, sent to SLU, 2nd overnight in SLU, arrive to Dominica on the 17th instead of 15th

20+ incidents in less than 8 weeks related to one island and connected to one person (the affected passengers include me and those known to me).   And none of these are related to Tropical Storm Chantal or bad weather.

LIAT introduced the new ATR aircraft in early July.  Your executives were well aware that pilots operating the new ATRs could not also operate the Dash 8.  LIAT also knew that before the ATRs began operating, pilots would have to be taken off line for training.  LIAT also returned Dash 8s that were on lease before the ATRs were operational.  LIAT went into their peak summer season with the implementation of new aircraft and with the full knowledge of what they were doing and of the risks involved.  There were no contingency plans, and everything fell apart.  The result is too few pilots and too few aircraft to adequately meet the demand and cover the routes.  The results have been a disaster for the region, and especially for Dominica (68% of our arrivals by air are on LIAT).

The inability to properly plan such a major event and to put the airline and its employees and especially its customers through such chaos, further damaging the reputation of LIAT and that of the tourism industry which it serves is, in to my mind, gross negligence. Who pays for the damage done to each customer, and for the damage to Dominica and its tourism industry, and to the region?  Who is accountable?

Do you believe a visitor traveling to the region for a hard-earned vacation can separate LIAT’s disastrous service from the rest of their experience?  Do think they will return or encourage others to come?

So many that work so hard to bring visitors to our region and to our island cannot and should not continue to the pay the price for the incompetence and actions of your executives.

Disastrous Public Relations

Your CEO has gone on record only once, as far I can see, explaining the crisis as follows: “an increase in unscheduled maintenance at a time when our schedule calls for maximum aircraft availability; crew shortages; bad weather; airport limitations; and delays in obtaining licences for operating our new ATR aircraft in some territories”.

Your Chairman has focused on maintenance issues with the old Dash 8s being the heart of the problem.

This is only part of the truth – poor planning and implementation is the crux of the matter.  It is a great disservice to your ultimate shareholders – the people of the Caribbean – to not deal with the crisis truthfully and clearly and to ensure swift correction action.  Who is accountable?

In the most baffling public relations event that I have ever witnessed, your Chief Commercial Officer responded via a YouTube video to a customer complaint letter which was publicized by Richard Branson.   Your executive said that “LIAT is second only to Virgin to receive the funniest complaint letter every written” and challenged Branson to a race to Necker Island saying that “the loser can wipe the other airline’s tail” or Branson can dress up as a flight attendant for LIAT.

This is your top marketing, commercial and PR executive, the face of your organization, the depth of your indifference to what customers suffer, and for me, the lowest point in my perception of what LIAT stands for.  Who is accountable?

Your customer-facing staff, who through this crisis have had to work incredible hours and deal with an unimaginable number of irate clients, are clueless as to what is happening operationally on a day to day basis.  They are typically unable to answer customer questions as to when or if a scheduled flight will arrive or depart.

Your customer-facing staff are your public relations link to your clients and are your best hope of lifting clients up in their moments of despair, yet your executives give them no information and no tools to manager your most important asset – your customers – through this crisis.  Who is accountable?

In Closing

A friend once said to me that the secret to a stress-free life is simply to lower your expectations, that way you are never disappointed.   I didn’t have to lower them, LIAT’s service to me and several people connected to me, did that for me.  LIAT did it consistently, dependably and ruthlessly.  Through a crisis like this, LIAT could have recovered at least to some extent the understanding and trust of its customers, through clear, honest and appropriate communication and public relations, followed with decisive action, all of which would have demonstrated that LIAT cares, that you care.

But do you care? Do you care about LIAT’s customers who get on and off its planes every day?  Do you care about the disruption to their personal and professional lives caused by LIAT’s incompetence and indifference?  Do you care about the damage LIAT’s poor service and reputation does to the fragile economies of island states like Dominica so dependent on tourism and the airline’s service?  Do you care that your customers are not getting what they pay for?  Do you care that your customers do not travel LIAT by choice, but because they have no other choice?  Caring for your customers is the first step and the raison d’être – the reason for existence – of a business.

It is time to care.  It is time for change.  Heads must roll.

Respectfully Yours,

Gregor Nassief

Owner/Director – Secret Bay

Executive Chairman – Fort Young Hotel

EDITOR’S NOTE: Gregor Nassief is involved in the tourism business in Dominica and the technology business in Latin America.  He is the Owner and Director of Secret Bay, the Exeuctive Chairman of the Fort Young Hotel and the CEO of Tecsys Latin America.

See more at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFPNSAVt9qY and http://www.scribd.com/doc/159417966/Letter-to-LIAT-Board-of-Directors

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Caribbean Jazz Great In High Demand As Monty Releases New Album

CaribPR, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. April 2, 2013: Jamaican-born, Caribbean-raised jazz great and Grammy-nominated artist, Monty Alexander, is in high demand this year, with performances that has him globetrotting and city-hopping on the heels of his new album and his 51st year as a musician.

Alexander, whose 50th anniversary album, “Harlem-Kingston Express: Live!” was nominated for a Reggae Grammy and won rave reviews from The Wall Street Journal, The London Evening Standard and Jazz Times among dozens of other media houses, is set to take his brand of stirring jazz to the Bern Jazz Festival in Switzerland from Tuesday, April 16th to Saturday, April 20th.

The performance comes as Alexander’s new album release “Uplift 2” on the JLP label, sits at #2 on the Jazz charts.

The stellar musician will then return to the U.S. to share a similar kind of joy with his fans at Boston’s legendary Scullers Jazz Club on April 26th and New York City’s famous Birdland Club Jazz Club from May 7th to 11th.

Jamaica’s Commander of Distinction and ‘Luminary Award’ 2012 recipient, then returns to the U.S. for performances in Boston and New York City, before heading to the nature isle of Dominica for the first time, where he will headline the increasingly popular, Dominica Jazz ‘n Creole Festival on May 19th at the Cabrits National Park.

“For many years I have harbored the desire to be able to visit one of the beautiful island if the Caribbean – Dominica,” commented Alexander. “I have had friends of Dominica heritage, including Connie Kay, the great drummer from the great Modern Jazz Quartet.  To be able to bring a musical offering to Dominica makes my visit extra special.”

Dominica’s jazz fans are sure to experience a different kind of jazz from Alexander – the kind that will have them putting on their dancing shoes on and keeping them on.

And his Grammy-nominated band, The Harlem Kingston Express, will add to the experience that combines traditional jazz with the rocking rhythms of Jamaica which results in a sound that is uniquely Alexander’s and The Harlem Kingston Express!

Tickets for his Boston and New York performances are $30 per person. For Scullers, get tickets at http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3466214&pl=scullers and for Birdland, log on to http://www.birdlandjazz.com/event/243141-monty-alexander-harlem-new-york/

Following his Dominica debut, Alexander, will again join his Harlem Kingston Express to bring his brand of jiving jazz to Washington, D.C.’s popular Blues Alley from June 20th to 23rd and Pittsburgh, PA on June 28th at the South Park Band Shell.

He and his band will wrap up the first half of 2013 in Rochester, NY with a scintillating performance at the Rochester International Jazz Festival on June 29th. For more see http://www.rochesterjazz.com/artist_lineup/?artist_id=934.

2013 Performance Dates:

Switzerland – Bern Jazz Festival – April 16-20th.

Boston, MA – Scullers Jazz Club  – April 26th.

News York City – Birdland Club Jazz Club- May 7th to 11th.

Dominica, W.I. – Dominica Jazz ‘n Creole Festival -  May 19th.

Washington, D.C. – Blues Alley – June 20th to 23rd.

Pittsburgh, PA – South Park Band Shell – June 28th.

Rochester, NY – Rochester International Jazz Festival – June 29th.

About Monty Alexander

Over his stellar career, Alexander, whose influence combines that of Oscar Peterson, Gene Harris and Nat “King” Cole, has performed with international stars including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare.

In fact, it was Sinatra and his best friend Jilly Rizzo who hired Alexander after he moved to the United States in 1961 at the age of 17.  And it was at Jilly’s famed New York City nightclub that this Jamaican teen caught the ears of Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Milt “Bags” Jackson.

Bags introduced him to the great bassist Ray Brown, and the rest as they say, is history, including Alexander’s 1976 Montreux (Switzerland) Jazz Festival performance with drummer Jeff Hamilton and bassist John Clayton, which has become one of the most celebrated live recordings in contemporary jazz.

For more on the Caribbean’s greatest jazz pianist and his music visit www.montyalexander.com.

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