By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Dutch Caribbean’s most-visited travel destination is getting more new flights from New York.

Aruba will soon be the beneficiary of year-round nonstop flights from New York’s LaGuardia Airport, according to an announcement from American Airlines.

The New York-Aruba flights, which had previously been operating only seasonally, will become year-round flights beginning Dec. 21.

Boca Grandi Beach in Aruba.

The flights will now be operating once every week on Saturdays.

It’s a rather strong statement for Aruba, given that American Airlines only began operating the seasonal service last month.

In less than 30 days, Aruba and its Queen Beatrix International Airport have already received a year-round stamp of approval.

The Marriott in Aruba.

Aruba has long been one of the more popular Caribbean destinations for travelers in the northeastern United States, and this expanded service only underscores that.

It complements a growing route network for American to Aruba, with flights from destinations including Miami, Dallas Fort-Worth, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Charlotte.

American operates the LaGuardia service on Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

They’re yet another expansion for American Airlines in the Caribbean, where its footprint is significant, but where it has continued to face network competition in recent years from airlines like JetBlue, Southwest and, increasingly, Spirit.

— CJ