BARBADOS: American Airlines Has Introduced Daily Flights To Barbados From Charlotte

American Airlines has announced the addition of non-stop, daily service from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) beginning December 19, 2018.

This announcement comes just weeks after the carrier unveiled its third daily flight from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Barbados, which is also set to launch December 19.

The island anticipates a demand for additional flight service given the growth in US arrival numbers, which have risen year after year.

In 2017, Barbados welcomed 188,970 US visitors – a 30-year high – and the country is showing no signs of slowing down.

Our airline partners have been instrumental in the growth of visitation from the United States.

This new service signals tremendous confidence in Barbados and constitutes a 100 percent increase in seat capacity into and out of the island said Barbados’ newly appointed minister of tourism and international transport, Kerrie Symmonds.

Increased service to these important cities will help to ensure another year of record passenger arrivals to our destination.

High-level airline partnerships have been a cornerstone effort for the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI). This strategy has led to increased airlift and the introduction of new gateways including Fort Lauderdale, Boston and Newark.

Alfredo Gonzalez, managing director – Caribbean, American Airlines, described Barbados as a destination in high demand and noted.

One month after announcing additional service to Barbados from our Miami hub, we’re thrilled to continue growing our presence in the island with new daily service from our Charlotte hub, both operating during the winter.

As the demand continues to grow over the years, today we’re proud to serve as the leading U.S. airline in the island with up to 28 weekly flights.

Tickets for the new route went on sale June 17.


Tourism Observer

PANAMA: Copa Airlines Goes To Barbados July 17, 2018

Copa Airlines, awaiting final arrangements and approval from the Barbados Tourism Office, has confirmed that it will begin a two-weekly service to the island of Barbados from July 17, 2018.

This addition follows the carrier’s initiative to strengthen its flight network in the Caribbean region.

Copa is proud to begin flights to Barbados and be the only airline connecting this beautiful and dynamic Caribbean island with Latin America, shared Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines.

With this new destination, we uphold our leadership and presence in the Caribbean region, where we serve 16 destinations, he added.

Outbound flights will depart from Panama’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY) at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, and arrive in Bridgetown’s Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) at 2:00 p.m.

The inbound flight operates on the same days, taking off from BGI at 3:00 p.m. to land in PTY at 5:30 p.m.

Copa will deploy its Boeing 737-800 to the new Caribbean destination, offering a seating capacity of 152 passengers in a two-class configuration, which consists of 16 passengers in business class and 138 in the main cabin.

Heilbron later recalled that the connectivity between Panama and this new destination will generate important opportunities for the development and strengthening of tourism and commercial activity, both for Panama and the 76 additional destinations serviced by the airline.

Executive Director of the Barbados Tourism Office, William Griffith, also established that this new route is very important for them, as it provides the opportunity to show all of Latin America our culture, our incredible beaches, our range of hotels, our culinary identity and the many activities we have to offer, he said.

Copa operates approximately 350 daily flights through the Hub of the Americas at PTY, connecting 78 cities in 32 countries of the continent with 89 aircraft: 77 Boeing 737 Next-Generation and 12 Embraer-190.

The Panamanian airline has also agreements and codeshares with other international carriers, such as Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM, allowing its customers to reach over 1,300 airports in 191 countries, with more than 18,400 daily flights.


Tourism Observer

BARBADOS: Disruptive Passenger On Air Canada Flight Causes Problems

A middle-aged man who reportedly made threats on an Air Canada flight to Barbados has been detained by police after his behaviour caused the more than 100 other passengers to remain on the plane for more than two hours after it landed.

Police in Barbados say they are continuing investigations into the matter.

The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, became disruptive on Flight AC1966 that left Toronto around 8:35 a.m. with 114 passengers for a five-hour journey.

The plane landed at the Grantley Adams International Airport around 1:40 p.m., but it was not until more than two hours later that the passengers were allowed to disembark, after police and other security officials investigated the threat and conducted a full search of the aircraft.

“Nothing was found that would cause further alarm or distress. The identified male passenger was detained,” police said in a statement issued late yesterday, adding that there was no harm done to the crew or passengers.

Air Canada spokesperson Isabelle Arthur also said that after the search was completed, passengers were transferred to the terminal.

BARBADOS: Barbados Has Something For Everyone,Soft Beaches, Powerful Surf, Festive Feel

Whether you seek soft beaches, powerful surf, refined sophistication or the up-tempo, festive feel, Barbados has something for everyone. It is the easternmost of the Lesser Antilles islands and, as such, enjoys the graces of two oceans – the Caribbean Sea on its west side and the Atlantic Ocean at its eastern end. The two bodies of water converge on the island’s southern shores, where smaller hotels – and legions of windsurfers – await.

The local Bajans, as they are known, display a brawn inherited from both 3 1 ⁄2 centuries of British rule and the faith and endurance of the former slaves who populated the island to cultivate sugarcane. A wealth of traditions have influenced every facet of life, from music and dance to cuisine and herbal “bush” medicine.

barbados

Barbados offers luxurious hotels, inns and villas lining many beaches. Visit the famous Millionaires’ Playground (a.k.a. Platinum Coast). Barbados’ premier festival, Crop Over, which traditionally celebrated the end of the sugar season, lasts for five weeks and includes markets, carnival shows, calypso concerts and colorful parades. Other special events also draw visitors: Holders Season, held in March, is internationally renowned for its series of opera, theater and music performances. The Barbados Jazz Festival has live performances seven nights in a row, each held a different island venue.

The island offers much to see and do: Broad Street in Bridgetown, the island’s capital city, is home to several large department stores and duty-free shops offering prices that can be 20 to 40 percent lower those than back home. Sunbury Plantation House, which dates from 1660, houses a collection of antiques, including carriages and farm implements. Other homes worth touring include St. Nicholas Abbey and the Francia Plantation. Take a tram ride through Harrison’s Cave to view stalactites, stalagmites, waterfalls and pools. Stroll through Andromeda Gardens, or tee off at one of three golf courses, including the Green Monkey, at the rebuilt Sandy Lane resort. The Garrison Savannah horse races are a hot ticket and other popular sports include cricket (the national sport), tennis, squash and polo.
AIRPORTS/GATEWAYS/FLYING TIMES:

Airport: Grantley Adams International Airport, (BGI) is 30 minutes drive from Bridgetown, the capital. Gateways/Flying Times: British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly from Gatwick, Caribbean Airlines from Heathrow and bmi from Manchester. There are also many charter flights from the UK including Excel from Gatwick. London: 8 hours. Manchester: 8 hours 25 minutes.
CLIMATE:

Stable year-round climate 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Average relative humidity 57-74%, constant trade winds 7-8 miles per hour.
DINING:

Restaurants available – Local. Fast food. Gourmet. International. 10% service charge is often added to bill; if not, tipping is at your discretion (usually 10%). Dress code is casual although some restaurants may require suits and ties.
LANGUAGE:

English.
NIGHTLIFE:

Entertainment available includes – Discos. Theaters. Dinner Theaters. Nightclubs. Cinemas. Live music. Pubs. Boat Cruises.
SIGHTSEEING:

Gun Hill Signal Station. Andromeda Gardens. Farley Hill National Park. Barbados Wildlife Reserve. Grenade Hall Signal Station.

DOMINICA: LIAT Returning To Dominica

LIAT will resume flights to and from Dominica’s Douglas-Charles Airport beginning Friday, September 18, the airline said in a statement.

LIAT was forced to suspend its services to Dominica on August 27 following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika, which resulted in widespread damage to the island and the closure of the airport.

The airline will operate one flight to Dominica on Friday, and then increase its services to two daily flights beginning Saturday.

“We are extremely happy to be returning to Dominica,” said Chief Executive Officer David Evans. “This would not have been possible without the spirit of community and resilience for which Dominica is well known.”

LI 581 will depart V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua at 7:10 a.m. daily and arrive at the Douglas-Charles Airport at 7:50 a.m., while the return service, LI 580, will depart Dominica at 8:30 a.m. and arrive in Antigua at 9:10 a.m.

Beginning Saturday, LI 364 will depart Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados at 2:20 p.m. daily, and arrive in Dominica at 3:20 p.m.

LIAT’s service to Guadeloupe and Antigua will continue on Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and its non=stop service to Antigua will continue on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The airline recommends that customers traveling from Dominica arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to the scheduled departure time to account for the increased security and baggage checks at the Douglas-Charles Airport.