ST JAMES, Jamaica — Sangster International Airport (SIA) welcomed the inaugural Liat Air flight from Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP), Guadeloupe on Tuesday, July 14, marking the start of a twice-weekly service to Montego Bay, St James.

The flight initiated a year-round route operating Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The PTP-MBJ service is the latest addition to other routes introduced at Sangster International Airport since the start of the year.

Shane Munroe, chief executive officer of MBJ Airports Limited (MBJ), operator of Sangster International Airport, said the Guadeloupe route reflects the airport’s continued push to expand its network.

“Attracting new carriers and additional destinations remains central to our strategy at Sangster International Airport. Today marks a historic occasion with the first direct flight between Montego Bay and Guadeloupe, and is another step in strengthening connectivity between Jamaica and the Eastern Caribbean,” Munroe said.

Industry officials celebrate the launch of the Liat Air service from Guadeloupe to Montego Bay. From left to right are: Obiukwu Mbanuzuo, Chief Operating Officer – Liat Air, Nadine Spence, 4th Vice President – Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), His Worship the Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, Hon. Tova Hamilton – Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Shane Munroe, Chief Executive Officer of MBJ Airports Limited (MBJ), operator of Sangster International Airport and Kerry-Ann Quallo-Casserly, 1st Vice President – JHTA.

“Trade and tourism are important objectives for us, but so is connecting our cultures, Jamaican and Guadeloupean, and by extension, Antiguan. To Liat Air, we offer our continued support, and we look forward to this being one of many more routes to come,” he continued.

Hafsah Abdulsalam, chief executive officer of Liat Air, said the Montego Bay route extends the airline’s presence in one of the region’s key tourism markets.

“The introduction of flights between Guadeloupe and Montego Bay opens seamless access to one of the region’s most dynamic tourism markets, not only from the Caribbean, but from the European corridor,” Abdulsalam said.

“Montego Bay is already a key destination within the Liat Air network, and extending direct access from Guadeloupe enhances travel options and deepens integration across the Greater Caribbean. We are proud to work alongside our partners at Guadeloupe Maryse Condé International Airport and Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport. Together we are delivering greater choice, enhanced accessibility and expanded opportunities for our travellers, businesses and communities across our region,” she added.

Since the start of the year, the Montego Bay Airport has announced other routes, including Wingo’s direct service to Medellín, Colombia, launched in June, along with Air Canada and Porter Airlines routes to Canada, confirmed for the coming winter season. This takes the total number of scheduled and seasonal destinations currently served by the airport to 48.

The addition comes as Jamaica’s tourism sector continues its recovery following Hurricane Melissa, with the Ministry of Tourism reporting more than 1.5 million stopover and cruise visitors through May 2026. Airlift growth has been cited by tourism officials as a contributing factor in that recovery.