Caribbean Airlines (BW) has announced some exciting additions to its already extensive network across the Caribbean. The state-owned carrier from Trinidad and Tobago is expanding its reach from Barbados and into St Lucia, and from there, onto St Vincent & the Grenadines.
With the carrier already operating between Barbados and St Vincent, its schedule will be increased to seven weekly services, while Barbados to St Lucia will be scheduled with four.
An island-hopping dream
What’s most intriguing is the connection from St Lucia’s George F. L. Charles Airport (SLU) direct to St Vincent’s Argyle International Airport (SVD), where Caribbean Airlines will deploy its ATR 72 once a week on Thursdays. The airline CEO, Garvin Medera, expressed his enthusiasm as reported by Loop News:
Commencing the week of July 24th, Caribbeans service adjustments from Barbados to St Vincent will take off seven times a week, complemented by increased services from Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) to Grenada, which will operate daily, while BGI to St Lucia will depart four times a week. The airline isn’t stopping there, also announcing its intentions to increase operations between Barbados and Eugene F. Correira International Airport (OGL) in Ogle, Guyana.
With the airline’s fleet of nine ATR 72 poised to manage the expanded network, Caribbean Airlines will also make several adjustments to its Trinidad network as well, including new connections between Piarco International Airport (POS) and Dominica and Antigua, up to twice a week from August 23rd.
Additional flights have also been suggested, with BW advising it will add extra flights from Port of Spain into St Vincent and Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND).
A strong player in the region
Caribbean Airlines is the leading regional carrier connecting the Caribbean, with a fleet of 18 aircraft (of which 15 remain active). While historically, the airline was home to a Boeing 767 among various other widebody aircraft; this enabled services to London Gatwick until January 10th, 2016; now the airline remains predominantly short-haul, with nine ATR 72 and nine Boeing 737-8, and focus on connecting the Caribbean states to Central, South and North America.
The airline is a critical player in connecting the Caribbean nations to the United States, retaining a robust network to and from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, operating services to Georgetown–Cheddi Jagan, Kingston–Norman Manley, Montego Bay, Port of Spain, St. Vincent–Argyle and Tobago.
Heading to Florida, Caribbean also operates the state’s three primary airports, with flights from Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Kingston, Port of Spain, plus a seasonal service to Montego Bay. Miami International Airport (MIA) to Port of Spain, Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Port of Spain, and seasonal service to Kingston. (https://simpleflying.com/caribbean-airlines-increase-eastern-caribbean-network/)
Source: Loop News
