VIRGIN ATLANTIC is set to expand its services to Jamaica later this year with the launch of new flights between London Gatwick and Kingston using Virgin's 451-seat Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

The move comes after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Air Jamaica and Virgin Atlantic, and follows Air Jamaica's decision to cease operations between Britain and Jamaica to concentrate on its core routes.

The new twice-weekly service will start on October 3. Virgin Atlantic operates twice-weekly services between Gatwick and Montego Bay. The new services will double Virgin's capacity between London and Jamaica to 190 000 seats a year and ensure that British visitors continue to have the best access to Jamaica, with more flights than any other airline.

Virgin Atlantic flight VS69 will leave Gatwick on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, arriving around lunchtime each day in Kingston, while flight VS70 will depart Kingston on Tuesday and Saturday evenings, arriving into Gatwick on Wednesday and Sunday mornings.

Virgin also announced a new codeshare agreement with Air Jamaica, in which the airline would place its code on Virgin Atlantic flights operating to and from Kingston, as well as Montego Bay. (PR)