St. John's, February 2002 -- Airlift out of North America into Antigua and Barbuda will be greatly enhanced from June of this year with the return of Air Jamaica on the Antigua/New York route.

Tourism Minister the Hon. Molwyn Joseph made the announcement on Friday February 1, during a press briefing outlining a number of developmental plans the government of Prime Minister Lester Bird will be pursuing to enhance the tourism product.

Minister Joseph said that the government and Air Jamaica have consummated a deal scheduled to become effective on June 20.

“The Prime Minister and the Cabinet have authorized the Ministry of Tourism to engage in discussions with Air Jamaica for the carrier to resume flights to Antigua.  We met with Air Jamaica recently and we have consummated an agreement to start flights out of New York from June 20.  To begin with there will be three flights per week: Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays.  These will be non-stop flights: New York – Antigua – Antigua – New York.  This schedule will continue from June to September,” outlined the Tourism Minister.

The Tourism Minister said that this new venture would greatly boost the country’s Tourism Industry.  He noted that the government has also agreed to establish a new promotional drive in conjunction with Air Jamaica and the Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association.

“I need to emphasize that this is a very important development for us here in Antigua and Barbuda.  We have always been challenged in getting airlifts from New York to Antigua non-stop and I am pleased that a regional airline – Air Jamaica is working with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and other Caribbean islands to make these services available,” Minister Joseph remarked.

“Starting in September 2002, the flights will continue but on different schedules.  Many of the flights will be New York – Montego Bay – Antigua.  We are however, continuing talks with Air Jamaica to ensure that we get at least one non-stop flight during the winter season.  They have shown an indication of willingness to satisfy our request and in that context we are continuing to negotiate,” added the Tourism boss.

He said that a price is attached to the new tourism promotion venture and the government has agreed to engage in joint promotional activities with Air Jamaica called Antigua Vacations.  This he said is similar to what is done with other destinations.

Minister Joseph remarked, “This product will be developed in cooperation with the Antigua Hotels and Tourist Association.  As you are aware, you have Jamaica Vacations, St. Lucia Vacations and we will soon have Antigua Vacations.  This will give Antigua and Barbuda its own identity and bring the government and private sector together in creating attractive packages to the traveling public so that we can get a bigger share of the market place.”

The joint promotional program will cost the government half a million US dollars.  Air Jamaica will match the funds, in order to produce a strong and penetrative marketing effort in the North Eastern part of the United States.

Recently US Airways introduced non-stop service to Antigua from Philadelphia with connections from Washington, Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.