Pride News Canada's Leader In African Canadian & Caribbean News, Views & Lifestyle
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda (Tuesday, December 8, 2020) — Air Canada returned to Antigua last Sunday; while US and UK airlines will be adding additional flights to the destination, within the month.
The twin-island country is expecting to see a boost in airlift for the winter season, as demand for the destination increases amongst travellers seeking to escape the cold weather.
The Sunday flight was Air Canada’s first flight to Antigua since March. Passengers and flight crew were greeted upon arrival, with a water salute and the Minister of Tourism, Charles Fernandez, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James, were on hand to greet the crew and passengers.
“We are heading into the holiday season with increased airlift as consumer confidence is returning,” said Tourism Minister Fernandez.
American Airlines, Delta and United Airlines will also have increased flight schedules to Antigua, in the coming months, from U.S. gateways.
The Air Canada captain and crew are welcomed, by Minister of Tourism, Charles Fernandez (fourth from right), and other tourism officials, on the airline’s first flight back to Antigua and Barbuda, since March.
CEO James encouraged tourism stakeholders to remain optimistic going into 2021: “We’ve been constantly engaging with airline partners, and most importantly engaging with the travel trade to keep the interest and the drive in the destination.”
Sunwing and WestJet have yet to announce resumption dates for flights to the destination from Canada, but the carriers are expected to resume flying early in 2021.
Antigua has long been a regional hub for the Eastern Caribbean. This is even more important now, as some neighbouring islands are not being regularly serviced from Canada.
Connections are available, through Antigua’s V.C. Bird International Airport, to Anguilla, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Montserrat (by ferry), St. Barths, St. Maarten, and St. Kitts/Nevis.
Regional airlines that service Antigua include LIAT, St. Barths Commuter, Trans Anguilla Airways, and Winair.
Last month saw the return of LIAT Airlines to the skies, with the resumption of regular commercial service on November 30. The airline will operate flights, five days a week, to seven destinations: Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, and St. Vincent.
