Ian Fleming Airport starts luxury airline service

The Ian Fleming International Airport on Wednesday welcomed United States-based QCAS Aero Airlines’ inaugural flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Boscobel, St Mary.

The aviation management company will operate an Embraer 145 executive-type, 30-seat aircraft on the route and will fly into Ian Fleming International Airport once per week on Thursdays, with plans to move scheduled flights as of December this year.

“The government of Jamaica is pleased to welcome QCAS Aero to St Mary. This luxury liner will undoubtedly add value to our tourism product, offering our visitors more ways to experience our island. We are certain that this will also have a ripple effect on our small and medium tourism enterprises in the area, by allowing them to get a greater slice of the pie,” said Delano Seiveright, senior communications strategist in the Ministry of Tourism.

The QCAS Aero provides its clients with a private, luxurious airport experience that starts with a warm greeting away from the hubbub of regular commercial traffic, the airline said, adding that onboard, every seat has more legroom than typical first-class seating.

“Additionally, QCAS Aero offers a premium flying experience for members-only that includes valet parking, a private departure process, gourmet meals (including hors d’oeuvres, Jamaican cuisine, and top-shelf beverages), in-flight service, concierge assistance, and expedited arrival processing,” the airline added.

On Thursday, June 16, the airport also welcomed an InterCaribbean Airways flight from Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.

These flights are expected to occur once per month, with a view to transitioning to once weekly. This is ahead of November’s planned commencement of flights from American Airlines into the airport.

The Ian Fleming International Airport was officially opened in 2011. It was named in honour of the late James Bond spy novelist, who made the north-eastern Jamaican parish of St Mary his home while writing the stories, which has spawned the highly successful movie series.