By the Caribbean Journal staff

Delta Air Lines is launching a pair of new nonstop routes to the Caribbean.

Beginning Dec. 21, the carrier will launch expand its weekly Saturday service to daily service from Detroit to both Montego Bay, Jamaica and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

That will mean two new daily nonstop flights to two of the most popular destinations in the entire Caribbean region.

Punta Cana is the most popular destination in the Dominican Republic, the most-visited country in the Caribbean region.

“We are very excited to be able to connect our Detroit customers with the Dominican Republic and Jamaica,” said Rodrigo Bertola, Delta’s director for Hispanic South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Half Moon in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the leading resort in greater Montego Bay.

The move comes as Delta already announced plans to expand its Caribbean network out of Detroit, with a planned launch of weekly Saturday flights to San Juan, Puerto Rico, also beginning Dec. 21.

The moves continues a growing trend of carriers expanding their Caribbean service out of the Midwest, one that has largely featured expansions by low-cost carriers like Allegiant and Sun Country, among others.

And Delta clearly sees what’s happening.

“Delta wants to capitalize on the growing demand in this important market and become the number one choice for travelers from the Midwest region of the United States when they’re traveling to key places in the Caribbean,” Bertola said.

Delta will be operating both routes on Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 180 seats, including 20 in first class and 21 in the company’s Comfort+ class.

A secluded beach in Montego Bay.

“Detroit has become an important bridge to connect the United States with the Caribbean,” Bertola said.

Delta operates nonstop flights to both Jamaica and the Dominican Republic from five cities across the continental United States.

— CJ