Jamaican tourism minister, Edmund Bartlett, has welcomed an announcement by JetBlue Airways that the company will be expanding its operations to the Caribbean destination with the addition of new flights.

The expanded service will see the introduction of two daily non-stop flights between Kingston and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Speaking at a ceremony in Kingston where the announcement was made, Bartlett said: “I welcome the expanded service from Fort Lauderdale to Kingston which is set to begin next April.

“The decision by the airline to increase its flights sends a strong signal to the world which points to Jamaica’s stability for investment in the tourism trade.”

Minister Bartlett also revealed that JetBlue is one of the fastest growing airlines locally and lauded company officials in attendance, including JetBlue’s chief commercial officer, Robin Hayes, for their success to date.

He added: “JetBlue is by far the fastest growing airline in Jamaica, as at the end of its first year in operation locally it secured 2 percent of the market.

“Last year it held six per cent of the local market and is now trending to ten per cent of market-share.”

JetBlue Airways made its inaugural flight to the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay from the JFK International Airport in New York in May 2009.

The airline then expanded its service to Jamaica later that year when it introduced the New York to Kingston route.

Come April 30th, 2012, JetBlue will be introducing twice daily non-stop service between Kingston and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the second non-stop destination to be served from Kingston.

Jamaica is recognised as the Caribbean’s Leading Destination by the World Travel Awards.