Western Air Launches Montego Bay Service

Western Air, a privately-owned Bahamian airline based on Andros Island, expanded its service to Jamaica with the June 11 launch of daily flights between Nassau and Montego Bay. Service had been scheduled to start May 30, but was pushed back to the new June date.

The carrier began service to Kingston from Nassau on April 12 with six flights a week, the day that Air Jamaica discontinued its service to Nassau.

Introductory fares between Nassau and Montego Bay are pegged at $320 roundtrip; ticketing agents are listed as Jamaica Dispatch Services at the airports in Jamaica and at Western Air ticket counters in the Bahamas. Online booking at www.westernairbahamas.com is slated to start later this summer.

The carrier uses SAAB 340A 33-seat aircraft for the Jamaica flights and recently contracted for three SAAB 340B models, due to arrive in 60 to 90 days, according to Rolle.