BA IS BACK: representative of the Travel Agents Association of Barbados Hanif Bham-Moore (left), chief technical officer in the Ministry of International Transport Valarie Browne, and British Airways district manager for Barbados and St Lucia Nigel Blackett talking over new opportunities created by the return of direct BA flights to Trinidad. (Picture by Marcille Haynes)

BRITISH AIRWAYS' introduction of direct flights from Barbados to Trinidad could possibly drive regional airfares down.

This is the hope of industry players following the announcement last week that British Airways will be introducing direct flights between Barbados and Trinidad. The first flight was last Wednesday.

When BWIA grounded its aircraft on December 31, 2006, airfares throughout the region increased, discouraging potential Carnival revellers from making bookings to Trinidad. Airfares went from between $300 and $400 to between $500 and $800.

This compares to the introductory fare of $407 being offered by British Airways until April 30, and an "equally attractive" regular fare thereafter.

Chief technical officer with the Ministry of International Transport, Valarie Browne said airfares had gone up higher than anticipated since BWIA closure, and said the direct flights offered by British Airways would assist with capacity and price control.

Speaking at the International Aircraft Management/Jet Centre to launch the flights, she said that British Airways was important to Barbados as the airline brought 75 000 of the half-million tourists that come to the island.

British Airways district manager for Barbados and St Lucia, Nigel Blackett also noted that direct flights would provide an important increase in markets, with 280 passengers being brought to the region per day instead of the current 224.

(JR-B)