USA: Spirit Airlines Started Major International Routes

From a tranquil rain forest, to a bustling metropolis, to the crystal waters of the Caribbean, the options for exotic culture and cuisine are endless as Spirit Airlines grows immensely in Orlando.

In an unprecedented expansion, starting October 4, 2018, Spirit will begin offering international service from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to 11 new destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as 3 more domestic routes rolling out through the fall.

The announcement marks one of the largest expansions in the airline’s history and includes service to the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

With this announcement, Spirit will now provide additional service from Orlando to eight countries and two U.S. territories.

It comes just days after the airline announced new routes from Orlando to Asheville and Greensboro, North Carolina, as well as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Spirit will now provide the Orlando region with nonstop service to and from 38 destinations, with up to 49 daily flights across the U.S., the Caribbean, and Latin America.

We have been proud to serve Orlando for 25 years, and after more than doubling service last year, we are so proud to be expanding there yet again, said Bob Fornaro, Spirit’s Chief Executive Officer.

Orlando is now one of our largest markets, and we have no plans on stopping our growth. The region is not only a wonderful, family-friendly destination, but it is well-positioned to now serve as a gateway to the Carribean and Latin America.

Spirit Airlines has a long history here at Orlando International Airport, and today’s announced plans for more investment into this market are a direct reflection of that long-time business partnership, said Stan Thornton, Chief Operating Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

Orlando to/from Starts: Frequency:

- Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (BQN) October 4 Daily

- Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA)* October 4 4x weekly

- Panama City, Panama (PTY)* October 4 4x weekly

- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ)* October 4 4x weekly until Nov. 7

Daily from Nov. 8

- San Pedro Sula, Honduras (SAP)* October 5 2x weekly

- San José, Costa Rica (SJO)* October 5 4x weekly until Nov. 7

- San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL)* October 6 2x weekly

- Bogota, Colombia (BOG)*ǂ November 8 Daily

- St. Thomas, USVI (STT) November 8 3x weekly

- Medellin, Colombia (MDE)* November 9 2x weekly

- Cartagena, Colombia (CTG)* November 10 2x weekly

- Asheville, North Carolina (AVL) September 7 3x weekly until Nov. 7

4x weekly from Nov. 8

- Greensboro, North Carolina (GSO) September 7 3x weekly until Nov. 7

4x weekly from Nov. 8

- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR) November 10 2x weekly

Subject to government approval.

- Based on data from the Department of Transportation and verified by an independent service.

- Sales of nonstop flights between Orlando and Bogota will commence at a date to be announced in the near future.


Tourism Observer

GUATEMALA: Woman Accuses Delta Of Holding Dog Hostage

A 25-year old student in Minnesota has accused Delta Air Lines of holding her eight-month-old German Shepherd dog “hostage” for 33 hours as she tried to ship the puppy to Guatemala to live with her husband.

Mary Nguyen said Bunny was held for more than a day in the cargo hold at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, where officials told her that there was a problem with the paperwork in shipping the dog.

Nguyen actually drove to neighboring Wisconsin and paid a private pet transportation firm $3,000 to ship her beloved pup, but an apparent clerical error was the culprit.

Airport officials told her the paperwork was in the online system but neither they nor Delta had a physical copy of the certifications.

That’s when Nguyen said that the dog was in a “hostage situation” after Delta refused to release Bunny from the cargo hold at the airport.

She alleges the airline then demanded another $3,000 from her husband before he could pick up the dog.

A Delta spokeswoman said, We know that pets are important members of the family and are working directly with the customer.

The Shepherd was eventually released to Nguyen’s husband.