In what now seems to be a pattern that threatens Costa Rica, three airlines announced that they will suspend flights to Central America at the beginning of the second semester this year due to increases in jet fuel and operating costs.
Where Costa Rica learned that Carlos Ricardo Benavides, the minister of tourism, announced that there are no official reports about flight cancellations or reductions.
United Airlines reported the suspension of flights to Guatemala beginning September 2. Jesus Rodriguez, the sales manager for Central America and the Caribbean said that the increase in crude oil prices provoked an increase in operating costs, which in turn made it impossible to continue flights to Guatemala. United Airlines has been operating in Guatemala for the past 17 years and offered a daily flight from Los Angeles and vice versa.
Spirit Airlines, another Unites States airline, postponed the announcement of its passenger flights from Miami to San Salvador, which it had planned to begin in August due to rising fuel costs. Salvadorean tourism minister, Ruben Rochi, stated: “We have received information from Spirit Airlines giving us notice that it has made a decision to suspend its flights to El Salvador while jet fuel costs are unstable.”
In addition, Mexican low cost carrier, Interjet, which made the run from Guatemala City to Merida in Mexico has also made a decision to suspend its flights.
Costa Rica without changes
Martha Pantin, Director of Communications for American Airlines, indicated that there are no forseen changes for flights to Costa Rica. However, the airline is decreasing flights to Argentina and internally. American Airlines will be eliminating flights from Puerto Rico to the United States, and flights to several Caribbean Islands.
TACA has stated that it is in the process of reviewing its operating plan for the second semester. It is natural for the industry to adapt flight frequencies to market demand, as is done in the high and low tourist seasons.
Continental and United Airlines announced a plan yesterday for cooperation around the world in an effort by the big US air carriers to consider fusions and alliances in order to face high jet fuel prices.
