Airline news

Trinidad and Tobago-based Caribbean Airlines unveiled its new colors and logo as it readied to replace 66-year-old BWIA (British West Indies Airways) on Jan. 1. The carrier’s logo features a green-and-blue hummingbird in flight. “Early references to Trinidad refer to it as the land of the hummingbird, making the symbol highly appropriate as an emblem for Caribbean Airlines,” said Peter Davies, CEO of BWIA. The new carrier will be based at Piarco International Airport in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

The decision to shut down the cash-strapped BWIA followed a government cabinet session Sept. 7, during which a 10-member ministerial team weighed various business proposals for the carrier’s future. Caribbean Airlines’ regional and international routes are expected to follow those currently served by BWIA. All BWIA tickets already purchased will be honored by Caribbean Airlines; BWIA’s frequent flyer miles also will transfer to Caribbean Airlines.

Virgin Atlantic Airways announced that it is now the largest non-stop scheduled carrier between the UK to the Caribbean, operating 18% more capacity than British Airways to the region.  For this winter season (October 2006-March 2007) the airline expects to carry over 350,000 passengers on its Caribbean routes, which represents a 20% increase for the same period last year. 

Virgin Atlantic began operating services to the Caribbean in 1998 with direct flights to Barbados, St Lucia and Antigua.  In 2003, the airline launched weekly services to Grenada and Tobago and in 2005; a twice-weekly service to Cuba and a weekly service to The Bahamas were introduced.  Earlier this year, the airline also launched direct twice-weekly services between Gatwick and Montego Bay, Jamaica. 

Following a review of its services to the Caribbean, unfortunately the airline has decided to cease its weekly flight to Nassau as there is currently insufficient demand to sustain a direct service to the island.  Passengers will still have the option to travel will Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays to Miami and then connect onwards to the islands. Last week Virgin Atlantic launched its first direct services between Manchester and St Lucia which will operate once a week.  The airline also operates a weekly service between Manchester and Barbados. 

Air Jamaica said it will stop paying base commissions on air-only bookings as of January. The airline currently pays 5%. The airline said it will continue to pay commissions on vacation packages booked through Air Jamaica Vacations or any other Air Jamaica-approved tour operator partner.

Delta has launched a nonstop, twice-weekly service from Atlanta to Guadeloupe on December 13, becoming the first U.S. carrier to serve the French island. The flights will depart Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:55 a.m. from Atlanta, arriving in Pointe a Pitre, Guadeloupe, at 3:10 p.m. The return flight will depart at 4 p.m. on the same days, arriving in Atlanta at 7:20 p.m.

Beginning Jan. 6, Northwest will offer a Saturday flight between Detroit and St. Thomas, departing Detroit at 9:45 a.m. and arriving in St. Thomas at 3:10 p.m. The return flight will leave St. Thomas at 4 p.m., landing in Detroit at 9:30 p.m.