The St. Kitts Tourism Authority announced on Monday that United Airlines will soon offer a non-stop service from its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport to St. Kitts, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.

 

The flights will commence on Dec. 19 and will operate weekly on Saturdays through April 30, 2016, the CTO stated.

Flights will reportedly be conducted with a 737-800 aircraft with capacity ranging from 154 to 166 seats. These flights will complement existing non-stop airlift into St. Kitts from North America, which will provide more convenient options for travellers to get to St. Kitts and Nevis during the peak winter travel season, the CTO stated.

The new service will provide additional connections from top feeder gateways such as Washington DC, Boston, Baltimore and Chicago, the CTO added.

St. Kitts politicians touted the new flights as a major boon to the country’s tourism industry.

“The launch of this new service from United is very significant for St. Kitts, particularly as many of our new hotel developments, including Belle Mont Farm at Kittitian Hill, Park Hyatt St. Kitts and Christophe Harbour, Koi Resort & Residences, and Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Kitts are open or opening within the next few years,” said Lindsay Grant, St. Kitts minister of tourism, international trade, industry and commerce.

Mr. Grant added that expanding flights to St. Kitts is a key component of growing its hotel sector.

“To support the growth in available room stock, a simultaneous growth of our airlift is required,” he said. “The northeastern [United States] has historically been our largest source market for visitors, and these new flights also allow for more connections from key gateways in and near this region.”

St. Kitts and Nevis Deputy Premier Mark Brantley said the northeast area in the US is one of his country’s largest markets.

“Our visitor research and stakeholder input have indicated that New Jersey is a very strong market for the Federation and for Nevis in particular,” he said.

Vic Kerckhoff, the director of leisure sales for United Airlines, said his company is thrilled to be offering the new flights.

“We’re excited to offer new service into St. Kitts from our world-class Newark hub,” he said. “This addition will mark United’s 18th Caribbean destination from our domestic airports, offering more flexibility and choice for flyers travelling to the region.”

{fcomment}