JetBlue Celebrates 15 Years Flying To Barbados
Passengers on JetBlue flight B6 361 received a fanfare welcome yesterday when the flight captained by Troy Weisgram landed, marking the airline’s 15th anniversary of flying to Barbados from the John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport in New York (NY).
On hand to welcome the 147 passengers and seven crew members at the Grantley Adams International Airport were Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill; officials from the Ministry; the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.; the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association; a tuk band; stilt walkers and dancers clad in Kadooment costumes.
Mr. Gooding-Edghill said the arrival of the flight marked a “significant milestone” as the relations with the airline have helped to develop the tourism landscape between the United States of America and Barbados.
“This partnership has helped to cement the Barbados brand in the minds of many visitors…. For the past decade and a half, JetBlue has been a bridge bringing families together, welcoming visitors to our shores, and strengthening the bond between Barbados and the United States.
“JetBlue’s loyalty, especially during the unprecedented challenges faced by the global airline industry, highlights a strong and valued partnership. As a true testament to the airline’s commitment to our destination, from January to July 2024, JetBlue’s New York service accounted for 27 per cent of total U.S. arrivals,” the Tourism Minister stated.
He gave the assurance that as Barbados seeks to embark on its next chapter of aviation alliance, the Ministry is committed to working closely with JetBlue Airways to attract even more visitors to the island.
“Here’s to 15 years of success, many more years of collaboration, growth, and development as we continue to work together….,” Minister Gooding-Edghill said.
JetBlue’s General Manager for Barbados and Grenada, Kelly Bourne, noted that JetBlue is currently the sixth largest airline in the United States and is known for its amenities and “the best crew members in the industry”. She said it was happy to be sharing its services with Barbados.
“Today, we celebrate an exciting moment in our journey. Fifteen years ago, the first JetBlue flight from JFK New York took off to Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport. It’s incredible to think that in those 15 years, our low fares and award-winning service have positioned JetBlue as one of the leading airlines here in Barbados.
“During these 15 years, we have certainly grown. We’ve grown our Barbados network, expanding service not only to JFK New York but also to Boston. Today, we offer up to two daily flights from JFK, and we will start operating up to three weekly flights this winter from Boston Logan International Airport to Barbados,” Ms. Bourne said.
The JetBlue General Manager also gave the assurance that the airline is committed to providing its services to the island.
“So, celebrating this important anniversary highlights our commitment to supporting tourism here in Barbados, and our commitment to be the airline that connects our family and friends. So, we look forward to continuing to deliver the much-loved JetBlue experience to our customers travelling between Barbados and the US,” Ms. Bourne stated.
Author: Sheena Forde-Craigg