Logan Airport Gets Another Non-Stop International Flight

JetBlue N534JB by Eddie on Flickr/Creative Commons

Port-au-Prince will join the growing list of international cities that Logan Airport serves with nonstop service when JetBlue launches direct service to the Haitian capital on Wednesday.

The new service will operate seasonally June-September with flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays according to JetBlue.

The addition of the new JetBlue service makes Port-au-Prince the 43rd international city with nonstop service from Logan.

“I’m pleased that JetBlue is adding more destinations to increase service options and competition and would like to recognize Massport and Logan Airport for identifying new markets to expand options out of Boston,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a statement.

JetBlue is responsible for nearly a third of all passengers at Logan making it the largest airline at the airport. The airline launched in 1998 and expanded to Boston in 2004 with just one gate. Today it operates nearly every gate in the recently remodeled Terminal C.

The boutique discount airline currently offers Boston travelers connecting service to Haiti through Fort Lauderdale and New York. Boston travelers using other airlines have to connect through Atlanta or Miami. The addition of the non-stop Boston service to the Carribbean nation will expedite and streamline the customs process for travelers on their return trip to the United States.

“More than 43,000 people traveled by air between Boston and Port-au-Prince last year and that market has grown 41 percent in three years. This new service will help connect the region with an important vibrant nation that was once home to many of us,” said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn in a statement.

Massachusetts has the third largest Haitian population in the country, just behind Florida and New York but ahead of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

“JetBlue’s decision to offer this new, direct route from Boston to Port-au-Prince will not only help our Haitian residents maintain relationships with their families, but will support and strengthen new partnerships and business opportunities as well,” said Massachusetts State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry.

Logan Airport has added nonstop service to Tokyo, Hong Kong, Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Beijing and Dubai in the last three years. Walsh has been talking to officials at MassPort and in Belfast about adding nonstop service to the Northern Ireland capital in 2016.

“JetBlue is among several carriers to make Boston a nonstop destination in the last few years, which is a nod to this city’s international reputation for top notch culture, institutions, shopping, and restaurants,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh in statement.