Above: the Turks and Caicos Islands

By the Caribbean Journal staff

British Airways is expanding its service to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The United Kingdom-based carrier will be adding a second weekly flight from London Gatwick to Providenciales beginning Oct. 29, the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board announced.

The flight will operate on a Thursday via Antigua, using a three-class Boeing 777 plane.

British Airways already operates a weekly flight on Sundays from Heathrow to Providenciales via Nassau; that flight will begin operating out of Gatwick via Antigua beginning March 29.

“We are delighted to be announcing increased services to Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said Colm Lacy, head of commercial at Gatwick for British Airways. “On top of the introduction of a Boeing 777 aircraft this summer, our increased services this winter will give passengers increased flexibility and more choice when flying to the island.”

In a statement, Turks and Caicos Tourism Director Ralph Higgs said the flight would “undoubtedly make the Turks and Caicos more accessible and attractive to potential visitors from the Eastern Caribbean as well; a sign of great things for the future of our tourism market.”

“We are pleased that British Airways acknowledges Turks and Caicos as one of the foremost destination in the Caribbean,” Higgs said.