Starting in October, Caribbean Airlines plans to add four flights per week to the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport. (Photo: CARIBBEAN AIRLINES)

Caribbean Airlines plans to launch new routes connecting the Virgin Islands to Trinidad, Barbados, Antigua and Puerto Rico starting on Oct. 14.

Using ATR 72-600 aircraft that carry about 70 passengers, the flights will strengthen tourism and business links between Tortola and other Caribbean centres, the carrier stated.

“Regional connectivity is at the heart of Caribbean Airlines’ mission,” said Garvin Medera, the passenger carrier’s CEO. “Our new service to Tortola is a significant step in our growth strategy, and we are committed to providing seamless travel experiences for our passengers.”

On a route to be offered four times a week, the Trinidad-based service will provide direct flights between Beef Island and San Juan, Antigua and Barbados, with connecting flights on to Port of Spain, Trinidad.

“By the end of this year, Caribbean Airlines will link the Spanish, French, Dutch and English-speaking Caribbean with each other, as well as the North American diaspora and business and leisure travellers who wish to explore the region,” the airline stated in a press release.

BVI Tourist Board Director Clive McCoy said the move will bring big benefits for the territory.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with Caribbean Airlines’ decision to service our islands,” Mr. McCoy said. “Granting more persons the opportunity to visit the BVI is a win for tourism.”

The carrier stated that the new route strengthens its position in Caribbean aviation and supports the region’s economic development by promoting tourism and business travel.

“This network expansion underscores Caribbean Airlines’ commitment to fostering regional integration and facilitating easier access to the Caribbean’s diverse destinations,” the airline stated in the press release.

Tickets for the fall flights were made available this week at caribbean-airlines.com.

AA direct flights

The move comes after American Airlines announced in May that it will expand its direct service between the VI and Miami to up to five flights a day by the end of this year.

The BVI Airports Authority said at the time that from November AA will offer two daily roundtrips most days, with a third added on Saturdays.

And the schedule will be bumped up in December to a record four daily roundtrips, with a fifth on Sundays.

Runway extension

Despite the new flights, the government announced a decision last month to extend the runway at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport by at least 2,400 feet to allow larger planes to operate there.

The decision — announced July 2 on a government Facebook broadcast — was taken before the completion of an ongoing business case and promised public consultations on the project.

‘Decades’ of talks

Last month, Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley defended the expansion decision, saying that enough time has been spent discussing the project and that it is now time for action.

“We have, literally, been speaking about this as a community for decades,” Dr. Wheatley said of the expansion.

“So I think we have passed the stage where we are trying to decide whether we are extending the runway or not.”