VANCOUVER, Canada – Jamaica will become the first Caribbean destination to have a direct non-stop flight from Canada’s western-most province.
As of December 19, two flights will depart weekly from Vancouver, British Columbia, non-stop to Montego Bay, St. James, operated by Air Canada Vacations and Air Transat/Sunquest.
Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has expressed appreciation for the increased air traffic out of Canada.
“Although this is initially a winter flight, we are working to extend it into summer and beyond,” said the Minister, as he addressed members of the travel industry in Vancouver on October 16, at the Sutton Place Hotel.
Mr. Bartlett said he expects to be back in Vancouver to depart on the inaugural six-and-a-half hour flight on Friday, December 19.
Air Canada Vacations’ Regional Sales Manager for British Columbia and Yukon, Edna Ray, said the new flight to Jamaica comes after 12 years of lobbying. “We’re offering great pricing and we want to make this flight the most successful ever,” she said.
Sales Representative for Transat Holidays, Marigold Frontuna, said the Air Transat/Sunquest flight out of Vancouver should be successful. “Jamaica is all about one love, so I am asking you to share the love with Transat on the non-stop flight to Montego Bay,” she told the audience.
The Air Canada Vacations flight will depart Vancouver in the morning to arrive in the afternoon, while Air Transat/Sunquest will depart late night and arrive Montego Bay early the following morning.
Mr. Bartlett was accompanied by Director General in the Ministry of Tourism, Carole Guntley; Executive Director of Jamaica Vacations (JAMVAC), Lionel Reid, and Regional Director of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) in Canada, Sandra Scott. (JIS)
