By the Caribbean Journal staff

Barbados is primed for a significant increase in airlift to the island this month.

American Airlines is set to launch a wave of new and expanded flights to the destination.

“High-level airline partnerships have been a cornerstone effort for Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI).  This strategy has led to increased airlift and the introduction of new gateways including Fort Lauderdale, Boston and Newark,” said said Petra Roach, U.S Director for Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. “We are ecstatic to see the increase in service from American Airlines, which will add millions in economic impact to Barbados.”

Beginning Dec. 19, American will launch daily nonstop service from Charlotte to Barbados, with thrice-daily service set to launch from Miami to Barbados on the same day.

The daily Charlotte flights will run through April 2 and from June 6 to Aug. 19, with Saturday-only service in the interim.

The American flights will operate three times daily through April 2 and from June 6 through Aug. 19, with twice-daily service in between those periods.

That will mean an almost 50 percent increase in capacity to Barbados from April through August.

“We are extremely pleased to see that American Airlines has continued its commitment to growing its capacity to Barbados well into 2019 and continues to help us in surpassing the tremendous visitation figures seen during the past few years,” said the Kerrie Symmonds, Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport. “In 2017, Barbados welcomed 188,970 U.S. visitors and we anticipate surpassing 200,000 visitors from the U.S. in 2018 – improving on last year’s already significant 30-year record.”

“This investment in Barbados is not something that we take lightly as we know that there are several other destinations which are eager for additional lift so we will be immediately implementing a very targeted promotional program to ensure that we stimulate the demand for this capacity,” Symmonds said.