Following the participation in the Routes Americas tradeshow in Bogota, Colombia, Antigua and Barbuda emerged victorious in securing increased air access to the Caribbean nation.
Representatives from the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) engaged in fruitful discussions with airline officials, paving the way for enhanced flight operations to the picturesque islands.
Surge in meetings yields promising results
During the three-day event, the ABTA delegation conducted 35 meetings with top airline network planners.
These discussions bore fruit, with major carriers committing to augment their flight offerings to Antigua and Barbuda.
American Airlines takes the lead
Leading the charge is American Airlines (AA), which announced plans to inaugurate a daily service from Charlotte, North Carolina to V.C. Bird International Airport, effective December 5th, 2024.
Additionally, AA vows to sustain its twice-daily flights from Miami throughout both the summer and winter seasons.
Delta and JetBlue follow suit
Delta Airlines has also pledged to bolster its service, increasing flights from Atlanta to twice weekly during the winter seasons of 2024 and 2025.
Meanwhile, JetBlue is set to ramp up its flight frequency from thrice weekly to daily come summer 2024.
United Airlines joins the fray
United Airlines also announced plans to introduce a daily service during the winter months, further enhancing air connectivity to Antigua and Barbuda.
Canadian market retains steady service
In the Canadian market, WestJet affirms its commitment to maintaining a twice-weekly service year-round, ensuring a steady flow of visitors from the north.
Eyes on British Airways
Antigua and Barbuda is also in discussions with British Airways to secure a daily service for the upcoming winter season, further diversifying its international air access.
Minister of Tourism extols growth prospects
Expressing his enthusiasm, Minister of Tourism Charles Fernandez lauds the anticipated surge in visitor arrivals to Antigua and Barbuda.
He highlights the substantial expansion in airlift from established markets, particularly the United States, where additional daily flights are set to bolster tourism figures during critical periods.
Focus on Latin America
Looking beyond traditional markets, Minister Fernandez emphasizes Antigua and Barbuda’s strategic focus on attracting visitors from Latin America.
Recognizing the region’s significance in bolstering tourism numbers, the minister underscores the importance of forging robust partnerships within Latin America to sustain long-term growth.
