AT LEAST ONE AIRLINE is reporting that there are no available flights out of Barbados until May 5 or 6.

Meanwhile, others have announced plans to have chartered flights added to existing routes to handle additional passengers.

These are some of the latest developments in the airline industry as cricketing fans from around the world flock
to the Caribbean to watch the historic Cricket World Cup 2007 which kicked off in Jamaica last Sunday.

The hosting of the games also coincides with the festive Easter celebrations which usually see Barbadians opting for weekend getaways to the islands for shopping.

The SUNDAY SUN has been keeping abreast of some of the changes, with some of the major airlines providing flights in and out of Barbados during the busy season.

Marketing manager of Virgin Atlantic, Rachael Pilgrim said tickets for Cricket World Cup were sold more than a year ago.

"The flights have been full around the busy cricket dates, especially around the English matches. Those flights have been full for more than a year," she said.

In fact, she said after April 28, there were no available flights out of Barbados until May 5 or 6. "There are flights available into the island, but the problem will be to get back out," she said.

Despite the increase in travellers, Pilgrim said the airline would not be increasing flights.

Bookings good

Air Canada has also said that it will not be increasing its 11 flights per week, although bookings were good.

However, unlike Virgin Atlantic, manager of Air Canada Barbados John White said there were available flights out of Barbados before May 5 or 6, but that some of the flights were full.

He said that March and April were usually good months for the airline.

He said he believed some of those travelling would be people coming to watch cricket.

"Still, the numbers are not significant enough to increase the number of flights," he said.

Regional carriers, however, appear to have adopted a different approach to the situation, given that they will be integrally involved in the island-hopping process.

Caribbean Airlines has added 100 flights to its schedule in anticipation of air travel needs for major regional events during March and April.

In addition, the airline has increased its frequency of service to Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia and Jamaica, and will be operating special services to St Kitts, Bermuda and Grenada.

According to an airline source, the smaller air carriers would get most of the traffic.

Director of corporate affairs with Caribbean Airlines, Dionne Ligoure said: "Additional services to Barbados, Antigua, Jamaica, St Lucia, and the special services to St Kitts, Bermuda and Grenada will facilitate the easy movement of large groups among the islands. We have also put on flights for the weekend of the Tobago Jazz Festival," she said.

Meanwhile, plans for LIAT to airlift teams and their baggage throughout the islands by charter is progressing well, said LIAT chairman Dr Jean Holder.

'Everything set'

"Everything is going ahead nicely. Everything is set," he confirmed during an interview.

In addition, manager of corporate communications with Caribbean Star/LIAT, Laura Cotton confirmed that the combined flight schedule was operating in 22 markets with strong bookings.

The airline's flights include 25 daily arrivals and departures from Barbados and 350 flights weekly, 19 daily arrivals and departures to Antigua, 14 daily arrivals and departures to Trinidad, with one departure on select days, and 204 weekly flights.

Air Jamaica has also announced plans to implement a special schedule expected to benefit cricket fans.
(JR-B)