UNITED STATES (US) low-cost airline JetBlue is increasing its flights to Barbados.
In a story carried on website travelpulse.com, the company’s president and chief executive officer Robin Hayes said they were adding a daily roundtrip flight between Fort Lauderdale International Airport and the Grantley Adams International Airport.
“Vibrant Caribbean communities like Barbados are critical to our success. [Barbados represents] a terrific example of a destination where we have a true partnership with the tourism ministry, the airport, and local hoteliers,” he said.
Haynes, speaking at the recent Caribbean Tourism Organization State of the Industry Conference in Curacao, said the airline’s new daily roundtrip service will launch in April 2016, subject to government approval and seats would go on sale in the coming weeks.
He said the upcoming service would provide the airline’s customers with more convenient connection options from numerous JetBlue destinations including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas.
Minister of Tourism and International Transport Richard Sealy was present at the conference and said the new service was a “clear indication of the strong partnership we have with JetBlue” adding Barbados had been trying for “quite some time” to increase direct service flights out the US.
“Florida is the fourth most populous state, one of the fastest growing and is certainly a very attractive urban centre. [The expanded service] is a significant step to ensure continued growth in our US arrivals,” he said.
Also in April 2016, JetBlue will launch its seasonal New York-Barbados flights featuring its Mint premium service. JetBlue’s Boston-Barbados flights will launch on November 7 while its Mint service between those same destinations is scheduled to begin in March 2016. (CA)
