Peter Steinmetz, CEO of the Aruba Airport Authority, (AAA) was joined by CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority, (ATA) Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes and CEO of the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA) in welcoming the inaugural flight of Sunwing Airlines, a part of the Sunwing and Signature.ca travel groups of Canada, this past Sunday.
Headquartered in Toronto, Sunwing now flies every Sunday a Boeing 737 800 series jet from Toronto, with a capacity of 189 seats; a year-round scheduled flight. Program Development Manager for Sunwing, Susan Oland, on board the first flight, explained that in mid-December they will add a Thursday flight to Aruba, through May.
Also onboard the inaugural flight was Sunwing Vice President of Commercial Operations, Gary Ogden, who expressed his great delight at returning to Aruba, the place where he first vacationed with the woman who is now his wife, along with Colleen Lessard, ATA Sales and Marketing Manager for Canada.
This first flight arrived with 180 passengers booking under Sunwing’s Signature Vacations “luxury travel” banner. Passengers on Sunwing flights will enjoy “Champagne Service” –“Not only figuratively, but literally,” commented Peter Steinmetz. “Sunwing offers the kind of service patrons have not experienced for some time now; hot meals, drinks and comfort, we are very proud to have had them choose Aruba as a destination.”
Signature.ca offers full packages to Aruba with accommodations at Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort, Bucuti Beach Resort, Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa, The Mill Resort & Suites, Brickell Bay Beach Club and Westin Aruba Resort.
Ms. Oland expressed their agents report great interest in Aruba, and they are optimistic this partnership will grow as did their service to Jamaica. “We went from one gateway to Jamaica to eighteen cities across Canada flying there direct; we hope to see such growth with Aruba, eventually.”
Sunwing executives received a formal welcome in the Reina Beatrix International Airport VIP Room, where they shared a ritual exchange of mementos with Aruban travel executives and a champagne toast heralding this exciting new travel opportunity for Canadians.
