British Airways has boosted its services to Antigua & Barbuda at a time when the airline has been cutting services to the Caribbean.

Air Passenger Duty has been blamed for the cutbacks, with Antigua & Barbuda the only destination to gain flights in a new schedule announced earlier.

The airline, which usually operates six flights weekly from London to Antigua, will now increase to this number to seven flights per week starting on March 25th.

The additional flight will depart on Tuesdays, according to the new long-haul operation summer schedule.

The announcement followed extensive discussions between British Airways (BA), the Ministry of Tourism, and the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority.

“For the first time ever, we will have daily service all year round,” said minister of tourism John Maginley.

“This is a significant achievement and demonstrates the confidence that British Airways has in the destination.

“They recognize that Antigua & Barbuda is an excellent product with huge potential out of the UK & Europe.”

British Airways chief executive Keith Williams had previously outlined concerns Air Passenger Duty was damaging the profitability of the Caribbean.

Speaking the recently Caribbean Tourism Organisation-sponsored State of the Industry conference, Williams said: “Taxation is most certainly a factor in this and, sadly, a factor in our decision to reduce our frequency to the Caribbean next summer.”

World Travel Awards

Next month, World Travel Awards will host its annual Caribbean & The Americans Gala Ceremony at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island in Jamaica.

The event is set to attract the top decision-makers and thought-leaders from across the Americas and Caribbean as they compete for the most influential accolades in travel.

City.Mobi

Also in the Caribbean today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to St John’s.

StJohn’s.Mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers. Key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.