By Rawle Toney
Eight years after suspending operations in Barbados, Delta Airlines is set to resume flights to and from the island effective November 21.
Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill made the announcement during a press conference on Saturday.
Delta will offer a seven-day-a-week service from Atlanta, Georgia, and a weekly flight on Saturdays from New York starting December 23.
Operating with the 737-900 aircraft, Delta’s new daily service from Atlanta to Barbados is scheduled to depart Atlanta at 9:45 a.m., arriving in Barbados at 3:20 p.m.
The return flight from Barbados will depart at 4:40 p.m., arriving in Atlanta at 9 p.m.
Additionally, the Saturday-only flight from JFK will depart at 8:15 a.m., arriving in Barbados at 2 p.m. The return leg will depart the island at 3:25 p.m., landing at JFK at 7:35 p.m.
Both services are planned to operate until April 2025.
Gooding-Edghill, flanked by acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BTMI, Craig Hinds, and CEO of the Grantley Adams International Airport, Hadley Bourne, at the BTMI’s Warrens Headquarters, expressed that the return of Delta will “improve flying opportunities to Barbados.”
He highlighted the Ministry’s concerted efforts in recent months to bolster Barbados’ airline connections globally. These efforts, he said, have resulted in expanded, restarted, and new services and routes to key markets in North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
Minister Gooding-Edghill underscored the significance of Delta’s return to the island, stating it reflects the airline’s confidence in Barbados’ future.
He pointed to leveraging Barbados’ connection with Atlanta as a hub, offering easy access to the southern and Midwest states in the USA through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the busiest in the United States.
According to the Tourism Minister, the Delta service positions Barbados as a premier destination and brand, offering a unique opportunity to showcase the island’s distinct allure to more than 100 million SkyMiles passenger membership loyalty programme participants.
“In our ongoing relationship with Delta, we continue to be assured of their commitment to Barbados. My Ministry gives the assurance that Barbados will continue to build on this encouraging momentum and increased interest among travellers,” Minister Gooding-Edghill stated.
He highlighted the strategic timing of the announcement, providing the BTMI with a lead time of nine months to promote and market the new routes ahead of their commencement and the 2024/2025 winter season.
Furthermore, he noted that this development will bolster the attractiveness of the forthcoming “Come Home” campaign aimed at Barbadians in the diaspora, aligning with the 2025 ‘We Gatherin’ marketing programme.
(RT)
