Sunrise Airways enjoyed a strong first year in operation, launching both domestic and international routes from Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitien as part of the company’s strategy to better connect the Western Caribbean. For 2014, the carrier plans to spread its wings even further, while also expanding its fleet with the acquisition of new, larger aircraft to accommodate longer-haul flying.

Philippe Bayard, President of Sunrise Airways, commented on the carrier’s successful first year, saying: “It’s been a great year; one in which we’ve achieved an impressive number of milestones for a small, start-up airline. But, as we’ve said all along, this is just the beginning. We can all look forward to an even bigger and better Sunrise Airways in 2014 with new, larger aircraft serving an exciting line-up of new destinations to further boost tourism growth and commerce in Haiti and across the region.”

Sunrise Airways launched scheduled passenger service on December 20, 2012 with one domestic route operating between Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitien. From there, the airline expanded overseas, launching its first international route to Providenciales, Turks & Caicos in August 2013. Additional international routes to Holguín, Cuba and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic soon followed in October and November, respectively.

“Bringing on new service to Kingston remains at the top of our list for 2014,” Bayard continued. “That would complete stage one of our development plan. Stage two calls for larger aircraft and longer-haul routes from Port-au-Prince. We have already initiated discussions with several aircraft lessors and anticipate entering stage two by the second quarter of 2014.”

In addition to inaugurating new routes across the Western Caribbean in 2013, Sunrise Airways also achieved several significant corporate milestones underscoring the airline’s commitment to safety and customer satisfaction. Most notably, in July 2013 Sunrise Airways became the first-ever Haitian airline to join the Flight Safety Foundation, an international non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to provide impartial, independent, expert safety guidance and resources for the aviation and aerospace industry.

Sunrise Airways, www.SunriseAirways.net