BASSETERRE, St Kitts – CARIBBEAN Airlines has announced further changes to its regional network, discontinuing its direct Barbados-Tobago service as part of efforts to reduce costs and optimise its schedule.
In a statement posted online today (Aug. 25), the airline said it will discontinue the direct routing of flights BW212 and BW213 effective September 2. The move forms part of what the airline described as “schedule optimization across its regional network.”
Caribbean Airlines said it will continue to provide connectivity between Trinidad, Tobago and Barbados through its existing scheduled services, with multiple travel options available across the three markets.
Customers holding bookings on the affected flights will be re-accommodated on alternative same-day Caribbean Airlines services. The airline said affected customers will be contacted directly with details of their revised travel arrangements.
The carrier also encouraged passengers to ensure that the contact information associated with their bookings is current so they can receive updates.
The latest adjustment comes as Caribbean Airlines continues to scale back services in several Caribbean markets.
Earlier this year, the Trinidad and Tobago-based carrier announced its withdrawal from the St Kitts-Nevis and Dominica markets, citing losses on the routes.
In St Kitts and Nevis, Tourism Minister Marsha Henderson confirmed during a May press conference that the government was in discussions with another airline to fill the gap created by Caribbean Airlines' withdrawal.
The Trinidad and Tobago state-owned carrier faced significant financial pressures, with rising operating costs and fuel prices affecting its regional operations.
The airline's decision to discontinue its St Kitts and Nevis service reportedly followed losses exceeding US$1.6 million on the route.
Henderson said the St Kitts and Nevis Government was not consulted before the airline announced its withdrawal and therefore had no opportunity to offer concessions to retain the service.
Despite the development, the minister said the Federation would not be left without regional air connectivity. Henderson said St Kitts and Nevis already has connections to Barbados through InterCaribbean Airways and Winair, with onward travel to Trinidad and Guyana possible through those carriers.
She also confirmed at the time that the government was in discussions with an unnamed airline to restore direct connectivity between St Kitts and Trinidad and Tobago.
“However, we are in discussions — and I can’t say with whom just yet — with one of our partners to service the route onward to Trinidad,” Henderson said.
The minister suggested that factors beyond ticket sales and route profitability may have contributed to Caribbean Airlines' decision to withdraw from the Federation.
The southern Caribbean remains an important market for St Kitts and Nevis, with Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana among the key source markets for visitors to the Federation.
Caribbean Airlines' latest route adjustment is therefore likely to add further pressure to regional air connectivity, even as the carrier says it remains committed to maintaining links among key Caribbean destinations.
