Air Jamaica will commence non-stop flights to Antigua from January 30, 2004, Air Jamaica will offer four weekly flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (departing at 7:10 a.m., arriving at 12:20 p.m.), with the return flights from V.C. Bird International Airport slated for Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (departing at 6:30 p.m., arriving at 9:35 p.m.). Currently, the airline serves Antigua with connecting flights.“This creates more convenient airlift from the New York area gateway and we are very excited,” said Dave Fernandez, Antigua and Barbuda’s Director of Tourism (USA). He noted that tourism stakeholders, both public and private, are pleased with the new year development in one of Antigua and Barbuda’s major travel markets.Air Jamaica Chairman, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, said the Jamaica flag carrier is committed to the success of the region’s economy and the development of Caribbean tourism. “Our dedication to Antigua and Barbuda is in keeping with our mission to develop and sustain tourism and continue to position Air Jamaica as a world class Caribbean carrier,” he said. He announced that as part of the new schedules Barbados also will benefit, gaining new non-stop flig hts from the Montego Bay hub. “This translates into seamless connections for passengers traveling from Baltimore, Boston, Newark and Philadelphia,” he said, explaining that the schedule also will boost intra-Caribbean traffic between Barbados and Jamaica.Travel agents, tour operators and wholesalers in the United States market, and Caribbean nationals, have reacted positively to the new Air Jamaica flights.Air Jamaica holds the Five Star Diamond Award, a distinction that ranks it among the top airlines of the world. It also has been named “Best Airline to the Caribbean” for six consecutive years at the annual World Travel Awards.

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