JetBlue Airways says its continuing to expand its services to the Caribbean as it filed an intent to serve Antigua’s V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU) three times weekly from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
The airline said on Monday that its aim is to launch service in Antigua and Barbuda on Nov. 5, “subject to receipt of government operating authority.”
Additionally, the airline will add seasonal weekly service from Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS) to Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI), which will launch Nov. 7, subject also to “receipt of government operating authority.”
“We offer customers more flights to the Caribbean than any other airline, and the beautiful destination of Antigua will be a great addition to our network for those wanting to discover something new,” said Dave Clark, vice president, network planning, JetBlue.
“A gorgeous Caribbean island, Antigua offers beaches, history and romance, along with world-class resorts like Sandals Grande Antigua,” he added.
Clarke said Barbados has “proven to be a favorite for our New York customers, and we’re happy to provide Bostonians the chance to experience the beauty and culture of Barbados.”
He said Antigua is one of the largest Caribbean markets not currently served by JetBlue, adding that it “will grow the airline’s robust JFK leisure route portfolio.”
“We are excited to be bringing JetBlue to Antigua and Barbuda following successful negotiations,” said Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy Asot A. Michael.
“As a new airline flying into Antigua, JetBlue will make the destination more accessible to visitors searching for affordable and direct same-day connections,” he added.
JetBlue said the Boston-Barbados flight is the fifth new seasonal service to the Caribbean and Latin America launched from Boston in the last year following Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR); Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (POP), which begins June 17; Saint Lucia (UVF); and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP).
JetBlue also recently announced it would offer its highly successful Mint experience on flights between JFK to Barbados this winter with Saturday service between Nov. 7, 2015 and April 30, 2016, and daily service between Dec. 19, 2015 and Jan. 4, 2016.
“Boston is one of the most affluent regions on the eastern seaboard of the United States and it presents an opportunity to diversify Barbados’ tourism business beyond the current US gateways,” said Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy.
“We look forward to continued strong cooperative marketing efforts with our partners at JetBlue to ensure the success of this new service,” he added.
The weekly Boston-Barbados flight will complement JetBlue’s existing daily service from New York JFK, which was launched in 2009.
