– For Immediate Release –
Hamilton International Airport welcomes return of Cuban winter flights.
New destination of Varadero added to schedules.
HAMILTON, ONTARIO (24 August 2011) – John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport will welcome the return of winter flights to Cuba with specialist Canadian tour operator Hola Sun Holidays this winter. Following a successful 2011 schedule the tour operator has confirmed the introduction of flights to the leisure destination of Varadero which will commence on 24 December 2011, and Hola Sun will reinstate flights to Holguin, Cuba on 12 February 2012. Both schedules will continue operations until the end of April 2012.
The weekly flight schedules are
Varadero
Operates from 24 December 2011 to 29 April 2012
Departs Saturday from Hamilton 18.00, arrives in Varadero 21.30
Departs Saturday from Varadero 22.30, arrives in Hamilton 1.50
Holguin
Operates from 12 February 2012 to 23 April 2012
Departs Sunday from Hamilton 15.45, arrives in Holguin 19.30
Departs Sunday from Holguin 20.30; arrives in Hamilton 00.10
This is the second year that Hola Sun has chartered Boeing 737’s from operator CanJet to provide winter holiday packages for the Southern Ontario region flying out of Hamilton International. Last season passengers from the entire catchment area – Windsor to Kitchener to Niagara and Oshawa – utilized Hola Sun services, and whilst much of the traffic originated locally, 25% of the Hola Sun passengers came from outside the immediate area demonstrating the growing requirements for these popular leisure routes.
“We are happy to welcome back Hola Sun and the Cuban flight schedule as they offer passengers a great sun and leisure destination at an affordable price,” says Karen Medweth Director of Air Service Development and Marketing for the airport. Hamilton expects to see a rise in leisure companies using the airport as a base for their charter operations and anticipate an increase in destinations for the traveler. “Hamilton offers the benefits of an uncongested airfield for airlines, and a quiet terminal for passengers. We are easy to get to and parking is a lot less expensive than other international airports,” says Medweth talking about the airport’s benefits for travelers and airlines. “The Hola Sun flights are a great match for our catchment area and the tour operator recognizes that the Hamilton experience has contributed to the success of their program. We are looking forward to supporting them again this winter and encouraging the development of other charter flights to a wider network of destinations,” says Medweth.
Hola Sun provides 7 and 14 night packages with a strong focus on the family market. The tour operator celebrates 20 years in business this year and is marking the event with the introduction of a new prestige service for customers. The “Collection Prestige – Live a Unique Experience” service offers clients the opportunity to select accommodation from a portfolio of high end hotels with premium added values relating to a specific experience. Clients can choose from 11 exclusive experiences to enhance their holiday. These include Deluxe Family packages, activities such as diving, golf and yoga, along with more Cuban themed experiences such as the Havana Cigar or Show Time. Hola Sun all inclusive packages start from CAD$858 plus tax.
Jorge Felix Salazar, President of Hola Sun Holidays said, “Cuba is an increasingly popular destination for passengers in the southern Ontario area and having the opportunity to fly out of Hamilton which is user friendly, less congested and easy to reach means our clients have a great start to their holiday experience. We are delighted to be reinstating our Holguin flight and introducing the new Varadero route and expect a busy season for winter 2012.”
–Ends–
About Hamilton International Airport
John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport is based in the heart of the Golden Horseshoe, mid-way between downtown Toronto and Niagara Falls. Serving all of Southern Ontario, Hamilton Airport is easy to get to and the only things it’s missing are long lines, a crowded terminal and expensive parking! Whether you are traveling for business or leisure remember; fly easy. fly hamilton.
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Contact:
Media Relations
Hamilton International Airport
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E: media@flyhi.ca
About Hola Sun Holidays
Hola Sun Holidays is proud to be Canada’s #1 Cuba specialist and has grown to be one of the largest tour operators to Cuba in Canada, and are excited to announce that they will be celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2011. Hola Sun has expanded their business by offering multiple gateways within Canada, over 80 plus hotels and resorts to chose from, and diverse specialty products throughout the island. Hola Sun offers a wide range of exciting, value-packed holidays to meet all budgets and taste, allowing visitors to experience even more of what Cuba has to offer.
Hola Sun’s 2011/2012 brochure has hit the street in most of the local agencies so please stop in and pick one up. All vacation packages can be booked through your local travel professional so when you do in just ask for Hola Sun Holidays product from Hamilton.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
HOW ABOUT SOME 10 DAY VACATIONS TO CUBA AND HOW ABOUT ADDING VACATIONS TO ST. MAARTEN LIKE THEY USED TO DO FROM HAMILTON. WHY CAN’T WE FLY TO ARUBA, CURACAO AND BARBADOS FROM HAMILTON AIRPORT? WE ARE LIMITED TO MEXICO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, CUBA AND FLORIDA FROM HAMILTON AIRPORT. WE HAVE TO START ADDING MORE DESTINATIONS. WE ARE COMPETING WITH BUFFALO AIRPORT WHERE YOU CAN FLY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD AT A BETTER PRICE!!
SINCERELY
PROFESSOR LARRY WHITE
Hi Larry,
Thanks for your post.
We are always looking to expand flights from the airport, not only in terms of frequency (which would allow for 9, 10, or 11 day holidays), but also to new destinations. In the past year, we have been able to add new destinations to Cuba (Holguin and Veradero), an additional frequency to Orlando and twice weekly service to Las Vegas; these are in addition to Cancun and Punta Cana. Although there are a number of places we aren’t yet connected to, we hope that the public thinks of Hamilton International for its convenience and friendly atmosphere when planning a vacation to one of the destinations we do provide service to.
Expanding service often involves long and involved discussions with the airlines that can take many months or even longer. However we feel that Hamilton International offers many benefits and opportunities to an airline and we continue to work with existing and potential partners to explore new opportunities from Hamilton International. It is always our aim to expand upon our existing routes or develop new services.
I would like to see Caya Coco in the flights to cuba.We went there last year and it was great,I hate going to T.O. for flights.
Early last year (2011),I was able to fly from Hamilton to Cayo Coco (Jardines del Rey Airport). This year I have to fly from Toronto to get to the TRYP Resort and is not anywhere as convenient.
Why did they stop the service? Even one or two flights per week would help.
As residents of Hamilton we flew from Hamilton to Cayo Coco airport in April of 2011. That was the best and made the trip the best. I see this year 2012 this service isnt offered to Cayo Coca. Thats a shame. Now I have to go to Toronto. What a inconveniance and not to mention a big hassle. Can someone please tell me why this service was stopped?
Thanks for your post about Cayo Coco flights from Hamilton. This winter, our Cuban tour operator opted to again offer flights to Holguin but to substitute Varadero for Cayo Coco. This switch gives our passenger a new Cuban destination to try and provides some variety in where you can holiday directly from Hamilton International. We are always working with our partners to expand our network and winter sun routes are always are the forefront of these efforts – hopefully we’ll be able to offer the destination you are looking for next time.