Categories: Tourism

Direct Flight from Fort Lauderdale to Barbados Returns

Starting as a charter service from July 18, 2023, through August 16, 2023, Bahamas Air will commence flights from Nassau, The Bahamas to Bridgetown, Barbados, via Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The twice-weekly service presents a new alternative for visitors and the diaspora to visit Barbados during the busy Crop Over period, and for Barbadians to connect to the USA and Northern Caribbean seamlessly.

Chairman of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Shelly Williams said that the announcement came after months of negotiation with the airline. “We are pleased to share the success of our talks with Bahamas Air to offer a safe and affordable alternative service to Barbados out of the USA and the Northern Caribbean this summer. We have worked with the airline and our stakeholder partners in Barbados to bring this to fruition.”

Boost in affordable summer travel and opportunities for the local economy

Moreover, Williams noted that the new flight was good news for locals as well, as it presented Barbadians with the opportunity to travel to Fort Lauderdale, The Bahamas and by extension, the Northern Caribbean islands for the summer period.

“This charter doesn’t only take into consideration the visitors and diaspora that will come to Barbados via Bahamas Air, but it also gives Barbadians an option to affordably travel out to the USA and the Northern Caribbean islands including The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Bermuda and so on,” Williams said. “Some of our travel agent partners have already announced exciting packages to service Barbadians who are looking to build out a full holiday experience.”

Acknowledging that Crop Over is “undoubtedly one of our busiest seasons”, she added that the expected influx will also provide further scope for Barbadians with rental properties, bed and breakfasts and guided tour companies to cater to tourists seeking immersive experiences during their stay.

“Securing this flight as an option for visitors, and Barbadians living overseas who want to come home for the Festival, is integral to meeting the demand for airlift to the island as well as increasing the opportunities for locals to benefit from the increase in arrivals to our shores.”

The BTMI Chair noted that after further discussion with the airline, it was the company’s intention for the charter to progress to a scheduled service after August, to maintain the popular FLL-BGI route which isn’t currently being served by any airline. With a competitive fare starting at USD $599 round trip, Williams noted that she expects Bahamas Air to complement the already existing airlift between Barbados and the USA, while keeping connectivity open between Barbados and the Northern Caribbean.

The BTMI has already embarked on a marketing and public relations thrust with travel agents and in consumer media behind the USA and Caribbean gateways to ensure the success of the new charter. Within coming days, Barbadians can look out for advertisements from local travel agents on how to book.

About Barbados

The island of Barbados is a Caribbean gem rich in cultural, heritage, sporting, culinary and eco experiences. It is surrounded by idyllic white sand beaches and is the only coral island in the Caribbean. With over 400 restaurants and eateries, Barbados is the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.

The island is also known as the birthplace of rum, commercially producing and bottling the finest blends since the 1700s. In fact, many can experience the island’s historic rums at the annual Barbados Food and Rum Festival. The island also hosts events like the annual Crop Over Festival, where A-lists celebrities like our very own Rihanna are often spotted, and the annual Run Barbados Marathon, the largest marathon in the Caribbean. As the motorsport island, it is home to the leading circuit-racing facility in the English-speaking Caribbean. Known as a sustainable destination, Barbados was named one of the world’s Top Nature Destinations in 2022 by the Traveler’s Choice Awards’.

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