New air service from Halifax

A new non-stop air service from Halifax on Air Canada to Barbados has been launched for the end of this year.

In announcing the flight, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI) said it will mark a significant milestone for the destination and the first new route established from the Canadian market in several years.

The new service will operate on Thursdays from December 17 on Air Canada’s 177-seat Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, in welcoming the move, acknowledged the airline’s role in bringing the route to fruition and its confidence in Barbados as a destination.

“Increasing airlift and improving accessibility to the island remains a key priority of this Ministry, and this new route is directly aligned with our overall airlift strategy for the destination. We are continuing to explore other opportunities both in our key source markets and emerging markets to ensure that we are well positioned to stimulate sustainable growth for Barbados,” he said.

In a press release, the BTMI stated that the service reflected the strength of Barbados’ relationship with Air Canada and the success of sustained, strategic efforts to expand access and drive growth.

The new route, it explained, was the result of more than a year-and-a-half of focused engagement, data-driven planning and close collaboration with the carrier and key strategic partners, underscoring Barbados’ commitment to building meaningful partnerships that deliver long-term value.

Andrea Franklin, chief executive officer of BTMI, said that with the new non-stop service, Barbados continued to strengthen its position within the Canadian market, enhancing

ease of travel while reinforcing its reputation as a premier Caribbean destination.

“The route is expected to drive incremental growth, support tourism stakeholders and further solidify the island’s long-standing relationship with Canada,” she said.

Canada continues to be one of Barbados’ key source markets, with steady growth in visitor arrivals and increasing demand across key regions, including Ontario, Quebec, Western and Atlantic Canada. The new service, the BTMI added, will not only enhance connectivity but also position Barbados to further capitalise on that momentum.

BTMI director, Canada, Eusi Skeete, said the launch marked a defining moment in the Canadian market.

“In the last year we have achieved the highest visitor arrivals from Canada in 45 years, welcomed expanded capacity on Air Canada from Toronto and increased frequency from Montreal.

“Over the past 18 months, we have taken a highly strategic and intentional approach to amplifying our presence in Atlantic Canada through engaging trade partners and consumers, strengthening our partnerships with key stakeholders and positioning Barbados as the preferred choice for Atlantic Canadians,” he stated.

“This new service is a direct outcome of that work, and it unlocks new opportunities particularly in regions where demand is growing and access has been limited. We will continue to reinforce Barbados as a destination that is not only aspirational but now increasingly more accessible.” ( PR/AC)

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