Puerto Rico Government Makes Great Strides toward Preserving Air Access to Island

The Puerto Rico Port Authority and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) announced that talks with American Airlines have resulted in the safeguarding of the airline’s service from Los Angeles and Baltimore to the island.

“Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila asked us to seek out alternatives that will help the Island brave the crisis faced by the airline industry today, and these are the results of this effort,” said Fernando J. Bonilla, Secretary of State and executive director, Puerto Rico Port Authority. “We’ve been able to preserve American Airlines service from Los Angeles and Baltimore to Puerto Rico, which is a resounding victory for the Island.”

Secretary Bonilla added that as another proactive measure to safeguard air access to Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Port Authority has extended its decision to not increase tariffs at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan for another year.

At the same time, an incentive program is in the works to lower tariffs at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport by offering airlines discounts of 15 to 45 percent on rent, landing fees and passenger fees if airlines can increase passenger traffic during the island’s less busy months, which are September, October and February.

In June of this year, the Government of Puerto Rico announced that other airlines had responded favorably to conversations with the PRTC about increasing air service to Puerto Rico.

The PRTC has also been meeting with members of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) who have agreed to work on a joint strategy to guarantee air access to the region.