St. John’s, Antigua – As the US economy continues to show signs of recovery, with rising stock prices and stronger earnings on Wall Street, analysts are predicting a resurgence in international travel this winter. Antigua’s Ministry of Tourism is fairly optimistic about the prospects for increased visitor arrivals to Antigua and Barbuda, with a projected increase in air capacity and airlift options from the United States and Canada.
According to statistics recently released by the Ministry of Tourism, the seat capacity from major US gateways is expected to increase by 15% in 2011 building on a steady increase of 10% in 2010 and 8% in 2009.
According to Tourism Minister Hon. John Maginley, “Despite the economic challenges that we face, we have intensified our efforts to increase airlift and strengthen our relationships with airlines and other industry partners. I believe that Antigua and Barbuda is well positioned to compete and capture some of the growth that is expected in some of our main and emerging source markets throughout North America next year.”
The Minister of Tourism believes that the destination is well served by some of the largest carriers in the United States and Canada. Continental Airlines will offer 10 flights a week from Newark International Airport, making Antigua and Barbuda one of the airline’s largest markets in the Eastern Caribbean.
Following the merger of Delta Airlines with Northwest over one year ago, which has seen a decline in the new company’s overall service to the Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda will continue to receive two non-stop flights from JFK and one non-stop flight from Atlanta.
American Airlines will continue with daily flights from Miami, however, the 737- 899 aircraft is now being reconfigured to increase capacity by 10 %, thereby increasing yearly capacity by more than 4300 seats. At the same time, American Airlines will continue to provide daily flights from San Juan and US Airways will fly once a week from Charlotte.
The trend for the rest of North America is also very positive with increased air service from Canada. Air Canada will add two flights a week, one from Toronto and one from Montreal, for a total of four flights a week. Transat Holidays will continue the service that began last season, with two weekly flights, one from Toronto and the other from Montreal. In the meantime, discussions are ongoing with West Jet to begin service from Toronto in early 2011.
