by Brian Major
Last updated: 4:10 PM ET, Wed April 3, 2024
Caribbean destinations are continuing to expand air
connections with U.S. gateways, fueling unprecedented visitor growth in several
countries.
Government and tourism officials attending the Routes
Americas conference in Bogota, Colombia earlier this month reported expanded flights
and frequencies, airport infrastructure improvements and strong visitor growth.
In meetings with met with airlines including American,
Delta, Southwest, Spirit Airways, JetBlue and United, U.S. Virgin Islands
Department of Tourism (USVIDOT) officials discussed “growth strategies aimed at
opening new gateways in high-demand markets."
USVIDOT also addressed “enhancing existing routes and
addressing seasonality shifts to maximize the territory's tourism potential.” The
agency is forecasting a 28 percent year-over-year air arrivals increase between
January and August of this year.
In addition, “Projections for the continental U.S. winter
2023/2024 indicate a 25 percent increase compared to winter 2022/2023 and a 15
percent increase versus 2021/2022,” USVIDOT officials said in a statement.
“We are thrilled to report unprecedented growth in air
arrivals, with exceptionally strong yields to both St. Thomas and St.
Croix," said Joseph Boschulte, USVIDOT’s commissioner.
“The continued support from our airline partners
emphasizes the promising outlook for tourism in the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
Dual-Island Growth
Officials from dual-island nation Antigua and Barbuda realized
“an immediate result” from the Routes Americas conference in terms of increased
flights.
Daily American Airlines flights from Charlotte, N.C., to Antigua
and Barbuda’s V.C. Bird International will begin December 5 and continue
throughout the winter season, said Antigua and Barbuda Tourism
Authority (ABTA) officials.
Additionally, American’s will to operate two daily
flights from Miami throughout the summer and winter, while Delta flights from
Atlanta will increase to twice weekly during the winter seasons in 2024 and
2025.
“We are enjoying increases in airlift from our
established markets, with the U.S. continuing to show the most expansion,” said
Charles Fernandez, Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism minister, “with more daily
flights added for the critical summer and winter months.”
Fernandez said JetBlue will increase its New York departures
from three times weekly to daily this summer, while Delta will increase Antigua
and Barbuda flights from Atlanta to twice weekly this winter.
The destination’s airlift growth “will be vital to
support the increase in rooms with new properties opening,” including the Royalton Chic, Fernandez said.
Increased Access
Dominica will become “more accessible than ever” due to expanded
airline links, according to Dominica government officials.
American Airlines will boost flight frequency to the
destination from Miami to daily service from June 5 through August 5 and
November 5 through March 31, 2025.
Antigua and Baubuda Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez (center) cuts ribbon inaugurating new Silver Airways flights to the dual-island nation. (Photo courtesy of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority)
“This decision underscores American Airlines' confidence
in Dominica's tourism product,” said Denise Charles-Pemberton, Dominica’s minister
of tourism. The expansion “reflects a significant opportunity for more leisure
visitors from our primary source markets in the U.S. and Canada,” she said.
Charles-Pemberton added, “In addition to American
Airlines, other reputable carriers such as Caribbean Airlines, InterCaribbean
Airways, Silver Airways, Winair, and Express des Isles contribute to the
enhanced connectivity to Dominica.”
Caribbean Airlines departs from Trinidad's Piarco
International Airport to Dominica with a nonstop service that continues to
Barbados on Thursdays. InterCaribbean operates 17 weekly flights to Dominica,
primarily from Barbados and St. Lucia.
Infrastructure Expansion
Other destinations outlined plans to expand their airport
infrastructure. On March 27, record-smashing Anguilla held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new
50,000-square-foot passenger terminal at Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport.
The new terminal is expected to be ready by the fall of 2025,
while an extension of the airport’s runway to 7,000 feet will follow as the
next phase of its redevelopment.
“We are making significant investments in our airport
infrastructure, and we are pleased to announce that our expansion is on
schedule,” said Kendell Richardson, Acting CEO of the Anguilla Air and Sea
Ports Authority.
“Ease of access is a critical factor in growing any
destination’s tourism industry,” said Stacey Liburd, Anguilla’s director of
tourism. “We are confident that the new carriers and new routes coming on
stream in the next two years will deliver record visitor arrivals.”
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