French airline takeover could open doors for direct flights from Barbados

A direct flight to Europe from Barbados could be on the cards in the not too distant future.

This was revealed by Eric Kourry, founder of Companie Aérienne Interrégoinale Express (CAIRE) – the parent company of French-based carrier Air Antilles – who suggested that was a very real possibility if a takeover of one of France’s major airlines, Corsair, went according to plan.

While explaining that Air Antilles was moving to provide additional flights from Barbados to the rest of the Caribbean, Kourry disclosed that talks had already started between Air Antilles and Corsair over a possible takeover.

He explained that if an agreement was reached, it could result in direct airlift to Europe from Barbados.

“It has already hit the French news that a group of investors and I are actively in the culminating stages of negotiations to purchase France’s second-largest airline Corsair. So, with this prospect in mind, Barbados stands to reap a two-fold benefit with an additional direct European connection out of a major French gateway,” Kourry said.

With Air Antilles already providing eight weekly flights from Barbados to St Lucia and four weekly flights to Dominica, two additional direct flights out of Barbados to Antigua and St Martin are also on the cards.

During a press conference at the BTMI’s Warrens headquarters Thursday morning, Air Antilles’ Chief Commercial Officer Romain Hordel said the airline was looking to provide safe, affordable and reliable service throughout the Caribbean.

He said with the collapse of regional carrier LIAT, Air Antilles was prepared to help fill that void.

Hordel said Air Antilles would continue to promote Caribsky, an alliance launched in 2018 in partnership with Winair, LIAT, and the tourism authorities of Discover Dominica.

He said the project’s main goal was to simplify the movement of people in the region while making territories more accessible and attractive by offering competitive rates, together with a broader range of services.

Country Manager for Going Places Travel, Alana Gray announced the travel company would be partnering with Air Antilles to bring special packages to residents of Barbados, St Lucia and Dominica.

She said those would be based on two-night/three-day stays and would include airfare, hotel accommodation, fees and taxes.

“We are utilising the Air Antilles routes between these islands that are also part of the travel bubble, along with our hotel partners and our network of offices throughout the region,” Gray said.

“The benefit of travelling within the bubble is that travellers are exempt from quarantine once their test is negative. We are working on updating these packages to align with recent updates to the Barbados travel protocols.”
(randybennett@barbadostoday.bb)