Monarch Airlines is to operate a former XL Airways route from Gatwick to the Caribbean.



The airline is to serve Grenada and Tobago with a weekly service starting on December 17.



Monarch will offer 307 seats in economy and 51 in a premium economy cabin using an Airbus A330 aircraft on the route.



Operator Golden Caribbean is offering seats for sale on the service at prices close to those of now defunct XL Airways.



The operator’s commercial director David Mortimer said: “We are delighted that we have been able to secure, at relatively short notice, an aeroplane to fill the void left by the failure of XL and provide essential airlift to the islands of Tobago and Grenada. 



“It was important to re-establish these services as quickly as possible and, in anticipation of more stabilised market conditions, we are confident that holidaymakers will find that this new service is one that they can have complete faith in.



“We are confident that many holidaymakers will feel comfortable booking their flights with a familiar and well established company like Monarch and are delighted that they are taking up this route.” 



Flights will depart Gatwick at 0930, arriving Grenada 1450 and arriving in Tobago at 1640.



The return flight leaves Grenada at 1605 and Tobago at 1840 arriving back to Gatwick at 0655 the next morning.



by Phil Davies