ST JAMES, Jamaica – The announcement by low-cost Norwegian airline Norse Atlantic Airways that it will expand its services to the Caribbean to include Jamaica this winter season, has been well received by the Ministry of Tourism.

“This service is coming at an opportune time as we seek to diversify the options available to our visitors from the UK, which is our largest European market. Norse will provide flights at a reasonable price point that will certainly encourage more arrivals to Destination Jamaica, moving us closer to our target of five million annual visitors by 2025,” said Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.

Norse announced on Wednesday, May 3, that it has plans to begin the operation of four flights per week to Montego Bay from October 29, and three flights per week to Kingston from October 31. All flights will leave out of the London Gatwick International Airport in the United Kingdom.

Bjorn Tore Larsen, chief executive officer of Norse Atlantic Airways, underscored that the introduction of these new flights from London Gatwick will enable more travellers to experience destinations at lower fares, adding that those wishing to reunite with friends and family will have greater choice during this traditionally high demand travel period.

In lauding the move, Bartlett described it as a major boost to efforts by the Ministry of Tourism, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), and various travel partners to improve affordable air connectivity between Jamaica and its traditional and non-traditional source markets.

The tourism minister also noted that

discussions are ongoing with other air carriers to establish direct routes to Jamaica, in an effort to foster continued growth in arrivals and tourism earnings.

Last November when Bartlett led his team of tourism officials in engagements with international tourism stakeholders in London, United Kingdom for the World Travel Market, Senior Advisor and Strategist in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright announced that three major UK airlines, TUI, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic would combine to operate at least 18 flights per week or two to three flights per day with Jamaica over the winter months.

“The ramp up will commence this month and run straight through the winter tourist season. TUI will have at least eight non-stop flights per week into Montego Bay from multiple UK cities; Virgin Atlantic will run a daily service into Montego Bay from London Heathrow and British Airways will continue to service Kingston non-stop”, Seiveright noted.