JetBlue Airways’ chief commercial officer Robin Hayes has confirmed the airline intends to grow services from Jamaica from next spring. 

The development is the latest coup for Jamaica, which was recently recognised as the Caribbean’s Leading Destination by the prestigious World Travel Awards.

At a special event in capital Kingston, Hayes stated the value carrier would launch twice daily non-stop flights to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, form the city beginning April 30th, 2012.

“We talk about the importance of the Caribbean to JetBlue - we look at markets like Jamaica where we have seen a phenomenal response to our brand - and we just cannot wait to add more service,” said Hayes.

“We see this as just another step in a journey that’s going to take us to a sizeable presence in Jamaica.

“We really appreciate the great partnership that we get from the tourism and airport officials, who have been with us for the long run.”

From Fort Lauderdale, Jamaicans will have convenient connecting service onwards to Austin, TX; the New York metro area (La Guardia, Newark or Westchester County); and Richmond, Va.

The new service will complement JetBlue’s existing daily service from Kingston to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

JetBlue also flies direct from Montego Bay to JFK, Boston and Orlando.

“The Fort Lauderdale connection is not only indicative of the potential for further development of this important gateway but no doubt also reflects the success of the Kingston to JFK route which was inaugurated two years ago,” said Earl Anthony Richards, chief executive of NMIA Airports.

Service to Fort Lauderdale will be operated by JetBlue’s Embraer E190 aircraft, offering two-by-two, comfortable all-leather seating, as well as the 150-seat Airbus A320.