Sunwing Airlines to Offer Nonstop Flights to Bahamas from Pittsburgh

In the midst of winter's last blast of snow and frigid temperatures, fantasize about this: floating in aquamarine water surrounding beaches with six types of white sand on the Grand Bahamas Island.

Starting in August, for a limited time, nonstop flights will be offered from Pittsburgh International Airport to Freeport, the one that's 55 miles off the coast of Florida. The flights will be part of Vacation Express packages for five-day, four-night vacations, ranging from $379 to about $799.

“Not only is it close, not only is the time right, but it's very affordable,” says Jeannie Gibson, manager of communications for the Bahamas Tourist Office.

The flights from Pittsburgh to the island — on Boeing 737 aircraft from Sunwing Airlines, a low-cost Canadian carrier — will leave every five days from Aug. 7 through Oct. 26. Vacation Express is partnering with the airline and Bahamas tourism officials to offer all-inclusive packages that include at least roundtrip airfare, hotel and ground transportation, and some include all meals and drinks.

Nearly 70 percent of passengers traveling from Pittsburgh to Grand Bahama Island connect through Charlotte on US Airways, or Atlanta on Delta, say officials with Pittsburgh International Airport.

“More than 250,000 people per year fly from Pittsburgh to a Caribbean resort destination,” says Christina Cassotis, chief executive officer of the Allegheny County Airport Authority, in a written statement. “This growth has left vacation-charter companies such as Vacation Express to begin offering nonstop service from Pittsburgh to popular destinations, including the Bahamas, Cancun and Punta Cana.”

The new flights and vacation packages will benefit tourism in the Bahamas and here in Pittsburgh, says Craig Davis, president and chief executive officer of VisitPittsburgh.

“This means that people from the Bahamas will have convenient and affordable access to experience Pittsburgh first-hand,” Davis says. “In addition to a vibrant cultural scene, we've been told that our sports teams, universities and shopping destinations are very attractive to this market.”
    
Source: Trib Total Media