Executive Director, Jamaica Vacations, Joy Roberts(left); His Worship the Mayor of St. Mary, Richard Creary (second from left); Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Mining, Dr. Janine Dawkins (third from left); Chairman, Inter Caribbean Airways, Lyndon Gardiner (fourth from left); Minister of Tourism, Jamaica, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett (center); Member of Parliament for Western St. Mary, Robert Montague (fourth from right); President of the Airports Authority of Jamaica, Audley Deidrick (third from right); CEO, Inter Caribbean Airways, Trevor Stadler; and Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board, Donovan White

As the destination’s tourism sector continues its strong recovery, Jamaica has welcome the inaugural weekly flight from Providenciales, Turks & Caicos (PLS), into Ian Fleming International Airport (OCJ) in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, by Inter Caribbean Airways. The new route marks the first time a carrier is offering scheduled commercial air service into the airport since the completion of its renovation in 2011.

“I could not be more pleased to welcome this new flight to Ocho Rios by Inter Caribbean,” said Minister of Tourism, Jamaica, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, who was on site to welcome the flight. “Air connectivity is the single most important factor in growing visitor arrivals and building tourism. Therefore, this partnership is key to creating the infrastructure needed to make Jamaica an aviation hub while simultaneously beginning a new chapter in the development of this region of our island.”

In addition to Minister Bartlett, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board, Donovan White and select local dignitaries were on hand to mark the celebratory occasion.

Pictured (left to right): His Worship the Mayor of St. Mary, Richard Creary; Member of Parliament for Western St. Mary, Robert Montague; Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Mining, Dr. Janine Dawkins; Executive Director, Jamaica Vacations, Joy Roberts; and Minister of Tourism, Jamaica, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett (at right) wave and clap in greeting the inaugural Inter Caribbean Airways flight from Providenciales (PLS) into Ian Fleming International Airport (OCJ) in Ocho Rios.

“Smaller air partners such as Inter Caribbean are poised to play a key role in creating better regional connectivity,” added Director White. “The potential impact to Jamaica and destinations across the Caribbean is huge, as passengers could fly into one island on a larger carrier and more easily continue on to their final destination via a smaller one.”

In 2021, the JTB was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination,’ ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Wedding Destination’ for the second consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named it the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 14th consecutive year; and the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Destination’ for the 16th consecutive year; as well as the ‘Caribbean’s Best Nature Destination’ and the ‘Caribbean’s Best Adventure Tourism Destination.’