New airline offers direct flights to sunny holidays

New Brunswickers wanting a sun-drenched escape now have a new option: direct flights to warm destinationswill begin taking off from Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton next March.

Sunwing Vacations has struck a deal with all three airports to offer flights to beach holidays south of the border.From Saint John, passengers can fly direct to Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic; Orlando, Fla.; and Cancun, Mexico. From Moncton, sun seekerscan fly direct to Puerto Plata, D.R.,and from Fredericton, passengers can fly direct to Holguin, Cuba.

Moncton and Fredericton already host airlines that fly direct to the Caribbean, but this is the first time the Saint John airport can offer charter flights to southern holiday destinations.

Saint John airport CEO John Buchanansays Air Canada has served the city for about 50 years andthatthe new airline will bring competition and increased traffic through the airport. "Most of our business at the moment is business travel," he said "So this opens up a whole new component of travel out of our catchment area of southern New Brunswick."

David Innes is the president and CEO of the Fredericton airport and saysthe capitalhad its first taste of direct service to sun destinations when Air Transat started its flights last year.He says the aviation industry seems to be getting over the unsteadiness of the past five years and offeringmore operators and opportunities.

Innes says Sunwing appears to be testing the Maritimes in a big way. "They're really exploring, and they're looking for opportunities. They've got a brand new fleet of airplanes, thenewest fleet of airplanes you're going to find around. It's quite exciting."

Sunwing also operates commercial commuterflights within Canada, from Charlottetown, Sydney and Halifax. Innes says he's hoping New Brunswick will eventually land some of that service as well.