BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — WINAIR, one of the region’s oldest airlines, has expanded its operations further south, seeking to bridge a long-standing gap in regional air connectivity between the Northern and Southern Caribbean.
On Thursday (Jan. 15), the airline conducted its inaugural flight to Barbados, originating in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) with a stop in St. Kitts and Nevis, before continuing on the one-hour, 15-minute leg to Barbados. The airline views the new route as an opportunity to boost regional travel, tourism, and connectivity.
During a brief ceremony marking the arrival of the flight, Cheryl Carter, Chief Operations Officer of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., highlighted the importance of the new connection, noting that it adds much-needed seat capacity from the Caribbean, Barbados’ third-largest source market.
She further explained that WINAIR’s entry helps bridge access to the Northern Caribbean, a market that has remained challenging for the island.
WINAIR’s service will connect Barbados with St. Maarten and the British Virgin Islands, opening new travel opportunities for both destinations.
“So this is quite significant in terms of providing connectivity between the North and the South. And we’re exceptionally pleased that Winair decided to inaugurate this service this week. Of course, this flight originated in Tortola, but we will also be welcoming flights from St. Martin via St. Kitts,” Carter told reporters.
Public Relations Manager at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Belle Holder, said the new route underscores “the importance of Barbados as a growing destination and an important destination to travellers in the northern part of the Caribbean.”
He added that Barbados continues to strengthen its role as a key regional hub for air travel.
“I think it also reinforces Winair’s investment in what Barbados can offer as a regional hub, southbound really, and into destinations across the world,” Holder said. “This is a global hub that we’re developing, and this flight signifies that. We are very happy to be part of this initiative this morning, and we look forward to expanding this route, making it viable, and making it work.”
The inaugural flight was piloted by Captain Denrolin Crooke and First Officer Brian Alleyne. Despite encountering stormy weather on the return leg, the aircraft was greeted with a ceremonial water salute upon arrival at RLB International Airport.
