Spirit Airlines (NK, Fort Lauderdale International) has announced it will develop Orlando International into a major international focus city with the start of the upcoming 2018/19 winter season.
The Floridian ultra-low-cost carrier said in a statement that effective October 4, it would add international service from Orlando to 11 new destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Spirit currently connects Orlando with 22 US cities along with San Juan Luis Muñoz Marin in Puerto Rico.
However, subject to the requisite government approvals being secured, Spirit intends to serve the following cities from Orlando: Aguadilla (starts October 4, daily), Guatemala City (starts October 4, 4x weekly), Panamá City Tocumen International (starts October 4, 4x weekly), Santo Domingo Las Américas (starts October 4, 4x weekly until November 7, then daily from November 8), San Pedro Sula (starts October 5, 2x weekly), San José Juan Santamaría (starts October 5, 4x weekly until November 7, daily from November 8), San Salvador International (starts October 6, 2x weekly), Bogotá (starts November 8, daily), St. Thomas Cyril E. King (starts November 8, 3x weekly), Medellín José Maria Córdova (starts November 9, 2x weekly), and Cartagena Rafael Núñez International (starts November 10, 2x weekly).
“Orlando is now one of our largest markets, and we have no plans on stopping our growth," Bob Fornaro, Spirit’s Chief Executive Officer, said. "The region is not only a wonderful, family-friendly destination, but it is well-positioned to now serve as a gateway to the Carribean and Latin America."
The ch-aviation capacity module shows that Spirit is currently Orlando's 5th most prominent carrier by weekly departures offering 273 against Southwest Airlines (WN, Dallas Love Field), the largest, with 881.
