By The Star Staff
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia announced on Wednesday, after a meeting with Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle, that the airline will establish a new crew base at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan this June, which expands its presence on the island and will generate more than $80 million annually in local salaries.
Additionally, additional growth is expected in the coming years, through job creation and strengthening Puerto Rico’s connection with destinations nationwide, officials said. During the first year of operation at the base port, the airline plans to employ up to 90 pilots and 200 flight attendants, in addition to the employees it will have to work at the airport and maintain its aircraft.
“Tourism in Puerto Rico has had three years of sustained growth and we continue to invest in the promotion of our island as a destination,” the governor said in a written statement along with Tourism Company Executive Director Carlos Mercado. “The announcement by Frontier Airlines to open a crew base at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is more positive news for the development of our tourism industry. Frontier is betting on Puerto Rico by contributing to the creation of jobs and injection of funds into our economy, and it reflects the potential that Puerto Rico has for the establishment and development of this type of industry.”
Biffle expressed his gratitude to the government of Puerto Rico and the island’s tourism and commercial partners.
“Our 13th crew base in San Juan will provide a significant economic impact and new jobs for Puerto Ricans,” he said. “This base will also contribute to maintaining smooth flight operations, benefiting customers who will have access to our ‘Low Fares Done Right,’ as we continue to expand our operations in Puerto Rico.”
Frontier currently operates 14 non-stop routes from San Juan and offers flights to the three main airports on the island.