US Airways is continuing its growth of service between the U.S. and the Caribbean with the start of new weekly nonstop flights linking Philadelphia with St. Kitts on Dec. 7, 2002.

Part of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, the island of St. Kitts—located in the northern part of the Leeward Islands—becomes US Airways’ 17th jet destination in the Caribbean. Additional Caribbean destinations are served by US Airways Express carriers.

The service will operate using state-of-the-art Airbus A319 aircraft, offering seating for 120 passengers with 12 seats in First Class and 108 seats in Coach Class. Flights will depart Philadelphia at 10 a.m. every Saturday and will arrive in St. Kitts at 3:32 p.m. The return service will depart St. Kitts at 4:35 p.m. and will arrive in Philadelphia at 8:15 p.m.

US Airways will be the only airline offering jet service to St. Kitts from the U.S., and departures and arrivals at Philadelphia are timed to connect with US Airways’ flights serving more than 30 destinations in the northeast and mid-atlantic regions. The new service will operate from the new international terminal facility at Philadelphia airport, scheduled to open in the fall.

“This is a key addition to US Airways’ expanding network serving the Caribbean,” said Douglas Leo, US Airways’ vice president of international. “St. Kitts is an upscale destination with a growing tourism industry, including new hotel developments, and our service will extend further the choice of Caribbean destinations offered by US Airways.”

St. Kitts, which has an English-speaking population of 36,000, is 23 miles long, five miles across at its widest, and covers 68 square miles. At its center is the peak of Mount Liamuiga covered by dense tropical forest. In addition to its sandy beaches, the island is popular for diving and snorkeling, together with hiking, fishing and golf.

US Airways currently serves the following Caribbean destinations: Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Cancun, Cozumel, Freeport, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Nassau, San Juan, Santo Domingo, St. Croix, St. Lucia, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. US Airways Express also serves North Eleuthera, Governors Harbour, Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay from Florida.

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