British Airways increasing flights by winter time

British Airways (BA) has announced a significant enhancement to their flight schedule to Barbados, moving to double daily flights from London Heathrow to Bridgetown by winter of 2024-25.

This increase, from 12 to 14 flights per week, was revealed during a press briefing commemorating the 70th anniversary of British Airways’ service to Barbados.

Addressing reporters at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Wednesday, Chief Operations Officer of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI) Cheryl Carter – who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Tourism Ian Gooding-Edghill – and Chief Commercial Officer of British Airways, Colm Lacy expressed gratitude for the partnership and optimism about the future and benefits to the tourism and economic sectors in Barbados.

Carter stated that the move to increase flight capacity is a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to facilitate travel and enhance tourism infrastructure.

In 2023, Barbados welcomed a record 243 857 visitors from the UK, a four per cent increase over the 234 510 recorded the previous year.

“That increase is indicative of continued growth and post-pandemic recovery. We extend a hearty thank you to British Airways for its role in supporting Barbados’ ongoing tourism recovery and we look forward to jointly steering ahead to combat the external shocks which impact the global tourism industry,” Carter said.

The BTMI official noted that the platinum anniversary signifies BA’s dedication to the partnership, and highlights the continued confidence the airline has placed in Barbados as a premier Caribbean destination throughout the years.

As part of the joint celebrations, she disclosed that throughout April, British Airways’ passengers to Barbados will get a taste of the country at 37 000 feet in the sky, complements of a new partnership with Mount Gay Rum.

“This partnership has been a long time coming, and I fully support the direction of having our own Barbadian brand available on board and I would love to see other airlines follow suit to creatively exporting the unique aspects of Barbadiana beyond our shores,” she said, noting that beyond the Mount Gay partnership, Barbados is also supporting supported additional 70th Anniversary celebration activities including other in flight activations.

Carter expressed that the airline’s expansive international network has served as an essential gateway to connecting the island with the world and fostering invaluable relationships across borders.

This connectivity, she said, is “especially crucial for Barbados’ tourism growth strategy as we pursue deeper penetration into Europe as well as the emerging markets of the Middle East and Africa”.

Commenting on the additional flights, British Airways’ chief commercial officer said they are expected to cater to the growing demand for travel to Barbados, providing tourists and business travellers alike with more convenient options.

“Our decision to offer double daily flights is driven by the strong demand and our steadfast commitment to Barbados as a key destination in our network. We are dedicated to providing our customers with more flexibility and a greater choice of flights, thereby enhancing their travel experience to this magnificent island,” Lacy said.

He noted that the airline’s commitment is not just seen in increased flight capacity but also through substantial investments aimed at enriching the customer experience.

Boasting about the partnership between the two, the BA representative said: “Since our inaugural flight in 1954, we’ve been privileged to serve as a vital bridge between the United Kingdom and Barbados, enriching lives, facilitating business, and sharing culture. Looking ahead, our commitment to Barbados and the wider Caribbean remains as strong as ever.”

Lacy added that British Airways is proactively working towards reducing its carbon footprint with the ultimate goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, a commitment that aligns with global environmental targets and reflects the airline’s dedication to responsible business practices.

The press briefing was followed by the 70th Anniversary Reception, an evening of camaraderie at llaro Court.

shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb