Increased Airlift Forecast for 2016
Hamilton, Bermuda (February 10, 2016) – Tomorrow, American Airlines will begin service to Bermuda with a second flight from New York’s JFK Airport, part of an 18 percent increase in commercial airline seats flying to Bermuda in the first quarter of 2016 when compared to the first quarter of 2015.
“Our ongoing dialogues with airline partners are showing results,” said Tourism Development & Transport Minister Shawn Crockwell. “Not only do we have the added airlift from New York on American Airlines, we’ve seen other airlines fly more often this winter than they did last winter. This is good news for residents and business people who rely on air travel, but also presents an opportunity to the Bermuda Tourism Authority to attract more visitors.”
In the second quarter a 6 percent increase in seats is forecast, making for two consecutive quarters of additional airlift, which represents 24,222 more commercial airline seats available to Bermuda. In 2015, every quarter of the year experienced a decrease in airlift – down 9.2 percent or 51,090 fewer commercial airline seats.
Typically an increase in the supply of commercial airline seats brings more competitive prices for travellers.
Bermuda Tourism Authority CEO Bill Hanbury said: “Airline seats to Bermuda are down 30 percent in the past decade. That’s why we’re working hard to grow demand and assist our partners in government who negotiate with airlines. The first two quarters of this year are encouraging and with promotions like the Pink Sale we are making strides to fill those seats.”
Through the third quarter of 2015, vacation air arrivals were the best performing type of traveller. Vacationer travel was down 0.8 percent, business travel was off 4.5 percent and visiting friends and family was down 9 percent. Fewer Bermuda-based employees in the international business sector and fewer visiting friends and family of ex-pats are partly responsible for the lagging performance in the non-vacationer categories.
American Airlines flight 1428, its second from New York’s JFK, is scheduled to depart at noon eastern time and arrive in Bermuda at 3:05pm local time. It will return to JFK same day with a departure at 4:00pm, arriving at JFK at 5:30pm eastern time. The additional flight will operate every day of the week except Tuesday. It begins tomorrow, Thursday, February 11, 2016.
Note: The inaugural AA flight 1428 will be greeted tomorrow with the ceremonial water cannon salute on the taxiway at L.F. Wade International Airport
