Skylan Airways, a new Jamaican-owned and operated domestic carrier, launched intra-island service between Kingston and Montego Bay. Skylan operates the 30-minute flight with a 19-seat Jetstream 32.

Air Jamaica is extending the low fares purchase period for travel to Jamaica. The fares are available for purchase until Aug. 17 and are valid for travel Aug. 17 to Dec. 11. Sale fares are valid for both Lovebird Economy and Lovebird Executive classes. All fares are roundtrip and a two-day minimum stay is required. Government taxes and fees are additional. Conditions regarding black-out periods, cancellations and other charges apply.

Airways has announced new nonstop service to Jamaica, “The Jewel in the Caribbean,” between its Phoenix hub and Montego Bay. This seasonal service is set to begin Dec. 17 and will run through April 12, 2010. The flights will be operated using Airbus A319 aircraft with seating for 12 in First Class and 112 in the main cabin.

Europe’s largest budget airline Ryanair said on Friday it had awarded mandates to a syndicate of banks for approximately $1.6 billion of financing for 55 aircraft to be delivered between November 2009 and October 2010.

Republic Airways, which faces competition from Southwest Airlines as it seeks to acquire bankrupt Frontier Airlines, said on Friday that it completed the acquisition of Midwest Airlines from Texas private equity group TPG Capital.

Air Jamaica continues its fall discounts by offering savings on travel to Curacao when purchasing tickets on Air Jamaica by Aug. 11 for travel Sept. 6 to Oct. 31. All fares are roundtrip, and a two-day minimum stay is required. Government taxes and fees are additional.