KINGSTON, Jamaica – Director of Tourism, Mr. John Lynch, has announced that airlift to Jamaica is to be increased by approximately 70,000 seats this winter season.
The disclosure was made at a press briefing, held at the Ministry of Tourism, New Kingston, on September 3.
The Director said that the air seats would present tremendous opportunities for the sector for the months of January through April.
“We have come up with a winter stimulus programme that we are going to put into immediate effect, to make sure that those airline seats and these airlines coming in are going to find it a very good experience,” he said.
Additionally, Mr. Lynch noted that many of the flights are expected to provide connections out of several emerging markets in Europe.
He informed that the recent arrangement made with American Airlines, has been rewarding, and the introduction of a flight out of Phoenix, in the United States (US), will see all the major hubs in that country being covered.
Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett (centre), having a light exchange with Chairman, Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), John Lynch (left), and Deputy Director of Tourism, Marketing, David Shields (right), at a press briefing, held Wednesday (September 3), at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices.
The Director pointed out that British Airways would resume flights to Montego Bay, St. James, in October with improved connectivity from major gateways in Europe through Gatwick airport in the United Kingdom.
“On the 29th of October, British Airways will start their operations to Montego Bay, which is going to be tremendous for the destination,” he said.
“Our strategy is to develop direct services between those countries that have the ability to produce a plane load or two to come to Jamaica,” Mr. Lynch added.
He noted that discussions have also been opened with a carrier out of Latin America, which will “give us reach into countries like Brazil, Argentina and Chile.”
Mr. Lynch said that the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is planning to introduce a Latin America/Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) trade fair, to assist business out of the region.
