The Discover Dominica Tourism Authority today announced that LIAT, the regional Caribbean airline, has introduced daily non-stp service between St. Lucia’s Herwanorra Airport (UVF) and Dominica’s Canefield Airport (DCF), located on the western portion of the island just 10 minutes drive from the capital city of Roseau.  The flights are operated by Carib Aviation (3Q) in a codeshare agreement with LIAT (LI). 

Flight #131 will depart Dominica daily at 12:10 p.m., arriving into St. Lucia at 12:55 p.m. The return flight #132 will depart St. Lucia at 4:05 p.m., arriving into Dominica at 4:50 p.m.  Carib Aviation uses a 19-seat DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft for these flights.
     
These new flights have been designed to allow connections to and from various long-haul flights from the United Kingdom, Miami, Atlanta, New York and Toronto.  An in-transit lounge for passengers connecting through to Dominica is among the benefits of the new route. Pre-clearance of customs and immigration is another benefit expected in the near future.  This new air service developed out of a joint public and private sector initiative to increase airlift to Dominica led by the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Legal Affairs Ian Douglas, former Minister of Tourism Yvor Nassief and the Discover Dominica Tourism Authority.
     
“We are extremely pleased that our continuing labors in crafting new routes and airlift solutions has led us to welcome this new air service into Dominica,” commented Steve Bornn, Director of Tourism of the Discover Dominica Tourism Authority.  “It provides additional options for our visitors flying internationally as well as within the Caribbean and for those guests who stay at properties that are situated on the western part of the island.”
     
Known as “The Nature Island” and located between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean, the independent nation of Dominica (pronounced “Dom-in-eek-a”) is the largest and most mountainous of the Windward Islands, encompassing an area of nearly 290 square miles. Of volcanic origins with mountains reaching heights of nearly 5,000 feet, rainforests that are considered among the last true oceanic rainforests in the world, more than 365 rivers, waterfalls, boiling lakes and pristine coral reefs, Dominica’s natural diversity is truly unique. Dominica is also home to the last remaining settlement of the Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean – The Carib Indians. A place where man and nature live in harmony, adventurers and nature lovers alike will revel in the Island’s eco-tourism options which include scuba diving, snorkeling, mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking/trekking, whale, dolphin and bird watching, sailing and fishing.

Dominica continues to be recognized for its attributes and responsible tourism efforts, including being the first country in the world to receive Benchmarking designation from the prestigious eco-tourism organization Green Globe 21. National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destination ranked the island as the top sustainable island in the Caribbean and among the top ten in the world. Most recently, Dominica was recognized by Islands Magazine and was included in its 2007 Blue List for being a leader in responsible tourism and ensuring an environmentally and culturally sound island for future generations.