Spirit plans to fly to Haiti in 2007
Spirit Airlines plans to begin flights to Haiti from Fort Lauderdale in April, its president says.
BY NIALA BOODHOO
nboodhoo@MiamiHerald.com
Spirit Airlines has received approval from the U.S. government to fly to Haiti from Fort Lauderdale, the local low-cost carrier's president and CEO said Friday.
Spirit plans to start daily flights to Port-au-Prince in April, Ben Baldanza said during an interview with The Miami Herald on Friday.
''By census count there are almost 100,000 Haitians living in Broward,'' Baldanza said. ``Everyone we've spoken with is really excited about us choosing there.''
The Miramar-based carrier is awaiting official approval from the Haitian government, but Baldanza said the government has so far ''warmly welcomed'' the carrier to the island.
The Miramar-based carrier also plans to begin service to Caracas, Venezuela, in April. Those plans are also pending approval of the Venezuelan government.
''Both cities we feel deserve better low fares,'' Baldanza said.
Because the airline hasn't yet starting selling tickets, Baldanza said he couldn't provide actual prices. But he added, ``We expect that the people of Haiti and those who live here and travel to those countries will be extremely happy with the products we will offer.''
American Airlines, the dominant carrier from South Florida to the Caribbean, currently has four flights a day from here to Port-au-Prince -- three from Miami and one from Fort Lauderdale.
But Haitian community leaders like Marlene Bastien say they have been frustrated of late by high fares charged by American Airlines to fly to the island.
''That's good news,'' said an excited Bastien, executive director of Haitian Women of Miami, when told of the news on Friday. ``The prices have been prohibitive and there's no reason why someone has to pay $400 for a two-hour flight. It will really facilitate family members going back and forth and maintaining important relationships with their loved ones.''
American Airlines spokesman Tim Wagner said the base fare from South Florida to Haiti would be about $289 round trip -- with taxes, about $370 -- in April, when the Spirit flights are set to begin.
''We're the leading carrier in that market right now and we'll do our best to stay that way,'' Wagner said, adding he thinks the carrier has a ''very loyal following'' in Haiti and the rest of the Caribbean.
Air France also flies from Miami to Port-au-Prince.
Spirit, which is based in Miramar, currently serves 12 cities in the Caribbean and Latin America, including Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas.
It has also filed for approval to fly to St. Maarten.
Spirit plans to fly to Haiti in 2007 
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