For the first time Air Jamaica`s team at Newark Liberty International Airport has won the airline`s 2002 “Airport of the Year” award for best services.
Stephanie Vigilotti, the airline`s Airport Manager at Newark, described the award as a morale booster for staff there for their tireless work during a year when they have had to cope with a rapidly changing travel environment and the new federal aviation security guidelines. “I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Vigilotti told her team at a special “breakfast bash” she threw for team members at the airport this week. “We made it through thick and thin and I appreciate each and everyone of you for your hard work, self-motivation, and support throughout the past year,” she said. Winning complimentary vacations at the breakfast raffle were Rita Margotta, Passenger Services Manager of Signature Flight Support (Air Jamaica`s Newark handling company) and Myra Rosario, Passenger Service Agent respectively to Breezes Runaway Bay in Jamaica and Almond Beach Resort in Barbados.
“We are proud of Stephanie and the entire team at Newark as we are of our airport staff system wide,” said Air Jamaica vice president, Allen Chastanet. “The staff have really put their best foot forward in some challenging times in the global aviation industry. We are extremely proud of all of you for serving our valuable passengers with exceptional hospitality and customer service.” Vigilotti, who took over the management of the airport operations shortly after the September 11 attacks on America, led her team to generating top revenue for the year, best on-time performance/customer service and exceeding revenue targets.
Air Jamaica operates a daily Newark service to its Montego Bay hub, utilising state-of-the-art A-321 aircraft with 12 first class and 176 economy class seats. Air Jamaica`s staff at JFK Airport in New York won the overall award in 2000, followed by Fort Lauderdale in 2001.
Air Jamaica holds the Five Star Diamond Award, a distinction that ranks it among the top airlines of the world. It also has been named “Best Airline to the Caribbean” for five consecutive years at the annual World Travel Awards.
With more than 30 years of service and the most modern fleet serving the region, Air Jamaica operates scheduled service with 380 direct flights a week from Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, Boston, Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York (JFK), Orlando, and Philadelphia in the U.S. and from London and Manchester in Britain to Montego Bay and Kingston in Jamaica. The carrier also serves Antigua, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Cura?ao, Grand Cayman, Grenada, Havana, Haiti, Nassau, Providenciales, Santo Domingo and St. Lucia. Air Jamaica provides more non-stop flights from its North American gateways to the Caribbean than any other carrier serving the region. In addition, the airline`s code share agreement with Delta Air Lines, and its joint fare arrangements and compatible schedules with United Air Lines and other U.S. carriers, extend its access to more than 150 cities within the Continental U.S.
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