KINGSTON, Jamaica – the Jamaica Government is looking to establish direct flights between Jamaica and Mexico as part of efforts to expand service across the northern Caribbean and its environs.

Transport and Mining Minister Robert Montague, said that the move will go a far way in reducing travel time between the countries by eliminating the need for persons to transit through Miami as now obtains.

He was speaking at the recent launch of domestic flight service by local aviation company, Jam Airlink Express, at Ian Fleming International Airport in St Mary.

Montague said a key location already identified in Mexico is Cancún, which is the country’s most easterly city and the closest to Jamaica.

Cancún is also the home of the headquarters of Mexico’s Moon Palace hotel chain, which operates a property in Ocho Rios, St. Ann.

The Minister said that the travel time between Cancún and Montego Bay, via Miami, is approximately two hours, but “if there is a direct flight… to Montego Bay, it’s one hour and 10 minutes.”

Montague added that the direct service would eliminate the need to secure a United States visa, as there would be no need to go through Miami or any other American city. Neither would persons from other countries, who wish to extend their Mexican vacation to include Jamaica, be required to transit through the US.

The Minister said that the arrangement is being pursued in tandem with the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) and Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), among other key stakeholders, and once in place, “you will find that more persons will be able to come to Jamaica”.

Meanwhile, Montague advised that other destinations are being explored to provide expanded regional service from Jamaica, including Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.

Domestic flights resumed at the Ian Fleming airport on Monday, with commencement of daily service by Jam Airlink Express.

Flights are also scheduled out of the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, where Jam Airlink is based, Negril, and the Tinson Pen aerodrome in Kingston, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.