Saint Lucia is hoping to benefit significantly from a 40 percent increase in airlift capacity to the island with the commencement of daily non-stop flights from long haul carrier British Airways (BA).
The increased airlift sees BA offering passengers a daily service to the island, representing an increase from the previous five-time weekly frequencies in place for the 2010 winter season.
The Saint Lucia Tourist Board has welcomed the news and according to Director of Tourism Louis Lewis, “This essentially means that UK holidaymakers can escape to the paradise
isle every day of the
week. This shows the commitment of the airline to the island on the back of very positive capacity figures for 2010.” The new British Airways summer schedule from London Gatwick
Airport to Hewanorra International Airport, for the first time is offering a four-class onboard service on flights Wednesday through Saturday, providing tour operators and agents the opportunity to offer their customers a choice between First, Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) or World Traveler (economy). “This additional airlift augurs well with plans at making the island more accessible to travelers from the UK and wider Europe. With this additional capacity, we hope to recapture the arrival figures enjoyed in 2005 that represents our best year on record from that market,” says Lewis.
The UK remains Saint Lucia’s second largest source market with arrival figures reaching 67,417 in 2010.
