Barbados is expanding its reach in Germany, with a new thrice-weekly direct flight from Frankfurt to the island’s Grantley Adams International Airport.

The new service, which launched this week, will run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through April 2020 using an A330 aircraft, which seats up to 330 passengers.

“I want Lufthansa to understand that Barbados’ airport will be a place which benefits you and us from the prospective of doing trans-shipment to Europe and also shipment of local commodities,” said Barbados Tourism Minister Kerrie Symmonds.

Celebrations commenced at Frankfurt airport with a musical performance by the famous calypsonian Mighty Gabby, as well as a ribbon cutting at the gate before boarding.

The flight in Barbados was welcomed by two water cannons and the delegation received by Chairman, BTMI, Sunil Chatrani; CEO, BTMI, William ‘Billy’ Griffith; Chaiman, GAIA, Vic Fernandes; Acting CEO, GAIA, Terry Layne; Consul Regine Sixt; Chairman, BHTA, Stephen Austin; CEO, BHTA, Senator Rudy Grant and Senior Director Mexico, Central America and Caribbean at Lufthansa Group, Felipe Bonifatti.

“We have managed to secure this concrete arrangement to bring about a bilateral air services agreement between Barbados and the Federal Republic of Germany in about two or three weeks,” Symmonds said. “This particular agreement had been languishing at the discussion stage since 1993.”

Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc CEO William “Billy” Griffith” said that the company will be looking to capitalize on the extra seats the partnership will bring.

“With the addition of some 900-plus seats per week, we will be more aggressive than ever in working with our tour operator partners, local groups such as the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association and Intimate Hotels of Barbados, as well as in our traditional and digital marketing efforts,” Griffith said.