CHICAGO – Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, has expressed his appreciation for United Airlines’ announcement that the number of flights to Jamaica has increased by more than 50% since 2019. The update was delivered during a recent meeting between the minister, his team and senior United Airlines executives at the company’s headquarters.
United Airlines is a major American airline headquartered in Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international route network across the United States, and also flies to six continents from seven hubs in the continental United States.
“Demand to Jamaica remains strong and this increase in frequencies by the largest U.S. airline is testament to the fruitful and robust partnership between this destination and the airline. We are proud to be one of the most connected destinations through a network of airlines that are at the core of driving Jamaica’s tourism growth,” Minister Bartlett said.
(From left) JAMAICA Tourist Board Deputy Director of Tourism for the Americas, Mr. Philip Rose, JAMAICA Tourist Board Director of Tourism, Mr. Donovan White, JAMAICA Tourist Board Director of Tourism, Mr. Mike Ragland, Latin Pacific Network Program Director, Mr. Analey Avancena, JAMAICA Tourist Board Director of International Regulatory Affairs, Mr. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Ms. Francine Henry Carter, JAMAICA Tour Operators and Airlines Manager, JAMAICA Tourist Board, and Mr. Tom Kozlowski, JAMAICA’s third largest tourist destination.
A senior representative for the airline revealed that this year will see the largest flight schedule to Jamaica, a 15% increase over 2023. He also highlighted that Jamaica’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ) remains a key hub for the airline as it is its third-largest destination in the Caribbean. United Airlines plans to operate up to 34 weekly flights to Montego Bay Airport from five hubs in 2024.
“Without air transport, we cannot grow our tourism industry which is why we rely on partnerships like this to produce mutually beneficial outcomes. Jamaica is well positioned for tremendous growth post-COVID and we are optimistic about the outlook for tourism with demand for the island remaining stable,” Minister Bartlett said.
“The expansion of service by one of the largest airlines in the United States, our primary source market, speaks volumes about our partnership and how attractive Jamaica is as a travel destination. We have no doubt that our unique and authentic tourism offering will continue to entice tourists to visit Jamaica,” said Tourism Director General Donovan White.
The summer is expected to be a very booming season with passenger load factors to Jamaica being very high at the airline’s hubs such as New York/Newark, Houston, Washington DC/Dulles, Chicago and Denver.
