Since American Airlines, Aeromexico, United Airlines and Spirit announced that they will delay their return to the country until April, local businessmen have given up hope that air connectivity will improve in the coming weeks.
Six international airlines operate in Nicaragua, but currently only Copa and Avianca are flying. The remaining four have postponed their return and according to their latest announcements, they would return until April.
Starting from May 28 Spirit Airlines will begin flying three times a week between the cities of Managua and Houston, in the United States.
After eight years of operating in the country, the low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has announced a new air link with the United States.
"... Spirit Airlines spokeswoman for Latin America, Irisaida Mendez said at a press conference that the airline will fly the route Houston-Managua three days a week from the "Augusto C. Sandino" International Airport in Managua. "
As of May 28, 2015 Spirit Airlines will fly three times a week from Houston to Managua and San Pedro Sula, and San Jose and San Salvador four times a week.
From a statement by Spirit Airlines:
MIRAMAR, Florida - Spirit Airlines has announced it will expand its nonstop service to ten new destinations starting from the spring of 2015.
The new locations include cities within the country, including Tampa, Baltimore / Washington, DC and Oakland / San Francisco Bay to seven destinations in Latin America, including Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (international routes are subject to foreign government approval ).
Spirit’s pilots went back to work; the company will resume operations on Friday 18.
The pilots of the airline, together with the International Pilot’s Association (ALPA) announced that they’ve reached a tentative agreement with the company.
The new contract, unanimously recommended by the pilot’s union, must still be ratified by ALPA.
In order to compensate its customers for the time off the air, the airline is offering a special promotion, consisting on a $50 coupon and 5,000 miles for its Free Spirit customer program.
All the flights of the discount airline Spirit are cancelled, at least until June 17; its pilots demand a 30% wage increase.
Spirit has regular flights linking Fort Lauderdale with several Central American airports: Guatemala City, San Pedro Sula, Managua, San José and Panama.
The company’s business model is based on low labor costs, and has spent the last three years dealing with complaints from the union.