PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — The Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines (CAL) today announced that it would begin a non-stop service from Barbados to Jamaica from April 15, subject to government approval.

The airline said that it would carry out the service every Monday and Friday between the two destinations.

“The launch of this twice weekly non-stop service between Kingston and Barbados, subject to government approval, is in direct response to feedback from our valued customers. The airline business is about providing a service that our customers want and this flight, is a welcome addition to our network, to serve their needs,” said CAL’s chief executive officer, Garvin Medera.

He said Caribbean Airlines is improving the reach and efficiency of its network, ensuring that it has strong connectivity within the Caribbean and “we also continue to develop more alliances with industry partners for travel outside the region”.

The chief executive officer of the Barbados Tourism Marketing, William “Billy” Griffith said Bridgetown is “looking forward to the additional 300 seats that this new Caribbean Airlines service from Jamaica will bring.

“In 2018, we had over 9,000 arrivals from Jamaica, up 2.2 per cent over 2017,” he said, adding that “this demonstrates this market’s potential for growth, and with a strong marketing programme and Barbados’ well-packed annual calendar of events, we have high hopes for significant business from the island”.

CAL said that the once approval is given by the government, the flights will depart Kingston every Monday and Friday at 2:50 pm (local time), arriving in Barbados at 6:25 pm (local time).

It said the flight will then depart non-stop to Kingston at 7:25 pm.