American Eagle worries

Dominicans have been told to prepare for the worst as American Eagle get ready to end flights from Puerto Rico in 2013. 

 The airline has confirmed plans to suspend flights from San Juan to a number of destinations in the Caribbean in attempts to shave $75-million per year in labor costs.

Executive Director of the Discover Dominica Authority Collin Piper told the 41st annual general meeting of the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association at the Fort Young hotel on Wednesday night that American Eagle has also confirmed ongoing discussions with three companies to help breach the gaps which will be left by the airline.

He did not name the companies, only referring to them as ‘X, Y, Z.’

“We also heard from American Airlines who confirmed that they are in discussion with three companies towards an American Airline service or an American Eagle service operated by X, Y, Z,” Piper said. “We don’t know what will materialize but I heard someone mention that they were able to book tickets up to July next year.”

Piper is anticipating that a decision will be made soon and that American Airlines will announce its intentions concerning that matter.

Despite this, the is warning that Dominica should prepare for the worst.

“I think we need to prepare for the worst in this particular case because if they are not able to come to an agreement with any one of these three airlines its entirely possible that American Airlines will make other arrangements for those ticketed passengers and that would include putting them on seats of alternate airlines,” the DDA boss disclosed.

American Eagle serves Dominica with 896 seats from San Juan weekly.

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