Virgin Atlantic Airways launched its first services between London and Jamaica. The direct flights between London Gatwick and Montego Bay will be twice-weekly and will operate on a Boeing 747-400. The new…
Virgin Atlantic Airways launched its first services between London and Jamaica. The direct flights between London Gatwick and Montego Bay will be twice-weekly and will operate on a Boeing 747-400. The new services mean up to 100,000 more visitors travelling between the UK and Montego Bay within the first 12 months.
According to the Jamaican Tourist Board, in the first six months of this year the number of UK visitors to Jamaica rose by 19%, compared with the first half of 2005. April alone saw a record number of UK visitors with an increase of 35% year on year.
Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic, commented: “Virgin Atlantic is delighted to be jammin’ in Jamaica from today! We are the first UK scheduled airline to arrive in Montego Bay and passengers travelling on the route will now benefit from increased competition, which will ultimately lead to better value for money and quality of service for passengers travelling. Montego Bay will be Virgin Atlantic’s 27th route worldwide and its eighth Caribbean route.”
“Virgin Atlantic began services to the Caribbean in 1998 with flights to Barbados, St Lucia and Antigua. In 2003 we launched weekly services to Grenada and Tobago and then in 2004 a twice-weekly service to Cuba and a weekly service to The Bahamas, so our expansion has been phenomenal in less than a decade having flown more than 2.5 million passengers to this region! We would like to congratulate the British and Jamaican governments for reaching an agreement that allows this expansion of services to take place,” concluded Mr. Branson.
Amanda Wills, Managing Director of Virgin Holidays, said: “I’m really excited about the new flights to Jamaica’s Montego Bay. Virgin Holidays’ customers now have the chance to fly direct on Virgin Atlantic to one of my favourite destinations. Jamaica has it all, the captivating resorts of Montego Bay and Negril, the rhythmic sounds of reggae on the beach, a unique culture and a rich heritage. As the UK’s largest scheduled tour operator to the Caribbean I’m delighted that Virgin Atlantic’s new service will enhance Virgin Holidays’ offering even further and contribute to the wide choice and flexibility that our brochure offers to holidaymakers.”
Judith Wilcox, Regional Manager for Virgin Atlantic in the Caribbean, commented: “Since we first started our Caribbean to London routes eight years ago we have had many Jamaicans asking for Virgin flights from their island and I am really looking forward to finally seeing Virgin Atlantic`s 747 on the tarmac in Montego Bay. It’s good to know that not only are we giving Jamaicans a choice but also that Jamaica will see around $45 million flowing into the economy as a direct result of our flights, based on the expected spend of every visitor.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
