Southwest Airlines has shared its intentions to expand operations in Jamaica throughout 2023. Southwest already operates several weekly flights to the Island country but plans to increase this number as it sees the destination as a significant growth opportunity.

Caribbean expansion

On February 7th, Jamaica's Ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks, met with the Senior Manager for Governmental Affairs and International & Political Programs for Southwest, Jenn Poeppelmeier, and the Senior Director of Strategic Planning & Airline Partnerships for Southwest Airlines, Steven Swan. The meeting was held at the Jamaican Embassy in Washington, DC. According to South Florida Caribbean News, during this meeting, the airline expressed this interest in expanding its Jamaica operations.

The parties discussed the possibility that the airline could increase flight services along its existing routes to Jamaica. However, the center point of the discussion was the possibility of Southwest opening a route to Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) and making it a hub for its expansion. Southwest anticipates that expansion in the region will enable it to secure a larger portion of the growing air travel market.

No official announcements were made about opening any new routes, as the airline plans to visit KIN this year to verify that it would be a good fit for its operations. If all goes well, it will likely announce the new route and subsequent expansion plans across the region by year's end.

Existing operations

Southwest has operated flights to Jamaica for nearly nine years since it launched its first route to the Island in 2014. This first flight service connects Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport (MBJ). Since launching this service, the airline has launched two other routes to MGJ, including a connection to Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

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Underutilized airport

Should Southwest establish operations at KIN, it will find the airport to be a great location as it is popular with tourists and is a central point in the Caribbean. While it isn't exactly oversubscribed, it does have dozens of flights per week. According to FlightRadar24.com, its most popular destinations include Miami International Airport (MIA), with 27 weekly flights; John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK), with 21 weekly flights; and Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) with 21 weekly flights.

Upon its arrival, Southwest will have to compete for passengers with multiple airlines. The largest being American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines, and JetBlue. Additionally, Cayman Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, and InterCaribbean Airways operate regular flights to and from the airport. Despite the competition, there is still room for growth and Southwest anticipates that it will find plenty of demand to fill flights to the mid-sized airport.

What do you think of Southwest opening a route to KIN? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: South Florida Caribbean News, FlightRadar24

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  Southwest Airlines

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  WN/SWA

  Airline Type:

  Low-Cost Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Dallas Love Field, Denver International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Houston Hobby Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Midway International Airport, Oakland International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

  Year Founded:

  1967

  CEO:

  Robert Jordan

  Country:

  United States