The Tribune

JetBlue Airways yesterday began daily direct flights from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA).

The new Washington, D.C., to Nassau route was one of three new services launched by JetBlue during a ceremony at DCA’s Terminal A.

Dr Eugene Newry, the Bahamas’ Ambassador to the US, said Jet Blue’s latest direct flight to Nassau was a “very exciting day” for the Bahamas, as it improved tourist access and made it possible for more Bahamians to fly directly to Washington, D.C.

Also present at the launchceremony were Chet Neymour, deputy chief of mission at the Bahamas Embassy; Paulette Zonicle, Bahamas consul general to Washington, D.C; and Francoise Torchon Newry, the ambassador’s wife.

Robert Land, JetBlue’s senior vice-president of government affairs, said the new routes and “increased frequency follow the allocation of 12 slot pairs to JetBlue by the US Department of Justice as a result of divestitures from the American Airlines –US Airways merger”.

JetBlue’s daily flights to Nassau depart DCA at 10:59 am and arrive at LPIA at 1:29pm. The return flight leaves LPIA at 2:25pm, and arrives at DCA at 4:58 pm..