As British Airways celebrates its 70th anniversary flying to Barbados, the airline has committed to increasing its flights to the island.
Minister of Tourism Ian Gooding-Edghill made this announcement on Sunday during a media briefing at the Grantley Adams International Airport.
Shortly after he disembarked the 787-10 Dreamliner, which made its inaugural flight to Barbados, Gooding-Edghill said that the airline had a long relationship with Barbados and he expected more significant feats from the partnership.
“The stellar nature of this milestone is made even more significant by the fact that the arrival of this magnificent aircraft represents far more than the merely increased airlift for Barbados, rather it clearly and strongly symbolises another mutually beneficial achievement from the great combination of the two Bs- Barbados and British Airways.
Minister of Tourism Ian Gooding-Edghill (centre) presented the captains of the 787-10 Dreamliner Stephen Faulks (left) and Rupert Weiss (right) with a gift.
“We can also look forward to welcoming the dedicated Dreamliner service to Barbados this coming winter season when British Airways operates 14 flights a week from London Heathrow to Barbados, moving from 12 flights from the previous winters. I’m confident that given the strength and length of our constantly evolving and intensive relationship that in the future, there will be many more of these historic occasions,” he said.
The 787-10 Dreamliner, which is owned by International Airlines Group, is the second Dreamliner aircraft to transport visitors from Barbados to the United Kingdom (UK) and vice versa.
According to British Airways, the 787-10 Dreamliner features 256 seats and is designed to boost customer experience. It can fly for almost 10 000 miles without refuelling and uses 20 per cent less fuel than similarly sized aircraft.
The passengers who disembarked the inaugural flight were welcomed to a musical treat by members of the tuk band as they entered the airport.
Gooding-Edghill added that the island is on course to receive more airlift from its traditional next winter season.
“Barbados’ airlift landscape reveals a very striking picture. The UK market has benefited from increased airlift with the intended increase in air seats this winter and I’m also pleased that the increased air seat capacity has been confirmed for next winter. In addition, Barbados’ next winter will also benefit from increased airlift out to the United States and Canada. Our marketing strategy will be focused on growth in each market and an expansion of new and emerging markets,” he said.
