Barbados is set to welcome a direct airline service linking it to the United States and the Northern Caribbean. Starting on July 18, 2023, and running until August 16, 2023, Bahamas Air will initiate charter flights from Nassau, The Bahamas to Bridgetown, Barbados, via Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This twice-weekly service will provide visitors and the diaspora with a new option to visit Barbados during the bustling Crop Over period, as well as enable Barbadians to conveniently connect with the US and the Northern Caribbean.
Shelly Williams, the Chairman of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), expressed her satisfaction with the announcement, which followed months of negotiations with Bahamas Air. She stated, “We are delighted to announce the successful outcome of our talks with Bahamas Air, which will offer a safe and affordable alternative service to Barbados from the US and the Northern Caribbean this summer. We have collaborated with the airline and our stakeholders in Barbados to bring this to fruition.”
Williams emphasized that the new flight would benefit not only international travelers but also locals, as it would offer Barbadians the opportunity to travel to Fort Lauderdale, The Bahamas, and other Northern Caribbean islands during the summer season. She further explained, “This charter flight not only caters to visitors and the diaspora coming to Barbados via Bahamas Air but also provides Barbadians with an affordable option to travel to the US and other Northern Caribbean islands, including The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, and more. Some of our travel agent partners have already announced exciting packages to cater to Barbadians who are seeking a complete holiday experience.”
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Recognizing Crop Over as “undoubtedly one of our busiest seasons,” Williams added that the expected influx of visitors would create additional opportunities for Barbadians in the rental property, bed and breakfast, and guided tour sectors to cater to tourists seeking immersive experiences during their stay. She emphasized the importance of securing this flight option for both visitors and Barbadians living abroad who wish to return home for the festival, as it would meet the demand for air travel to the island and increase opportunities for locals to benefit from the surge in arrivals.
The BTMI Chair also revealed that, following further discussions with the airline, the charter service is intended to transition into a scheduled service after August, thus ensuring the continuation of the popular FLL-BGI route, which currently has no airline serving it. With competitive fares starting at USD $599 round trip, Williams expects Bahamas Air to complement the existing air connectivity between Barbados and the US while maintaining seamless connections between Barbados and the Northern Caribbean.
To ensure the success of this new charter, the BTMI has already launched a marketing and public relations campaign targeting travel agents and consumer media in the US and Caribbean gateways. In the coming days, Barbadians can expect advertisements from local travel agents providing information on how to book their flights.
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