ST GEORGE’S – The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) says the United States-based budget airline, JetBlue will boosting service to the island in time for its biggest cultural festival, Spicemas.
From August 7 to September 1, 2023, the carrier will operate a second daily nonstop flight, a 162-seat A320, leaving New York’s John F Kennedy (JFK) airport at 9:50 p.m. and arriving at Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) at 2:47 am.
The returning flight departs GND at 5:01 a.m. and arrives at JFK at 9:57 a.m.
JetBlue currently offers daily nonstop service from New York, and American Airlines offers a daily nonstop flight from Miami, along with a seasonal weekly flight from Charlotte on Saturdays.
Also, in line with the uptick in family travel to the destination, JetBlue has increased capacity on its regular service, from an A320 to the 200-seater A321, for the entire summer peak period from June 15 to September 5.
“We’re thrilled to welcome this expanded service from JetBlue, offering travellers more options to come to Grenada,” said Tourism Minister Lennox Andrews.
“JetBlue has always been a committed partner and we expect a surge in bookings, as this service allows the destination and our stakeholders the opportunity to welcome even more visitors for Spicemas and showcase how Grenada honours its culture and why we’re truly the Spice Isle of the Caribbean.”
“The USA is the largest tourism market for Grenada and continues to perform exceptionally well. In 2022, the USA closed off the year two per cent over 2019. Currently, Jan-Feb 2023, the market is up 19 per cent over the same period in 2019 and three per cent over for the same period in 2022. Grenada continues to remain committed to US tourism growth and most recently welcomed a new sales manager in New York, Shanai St Bernard,” said the CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority, Petra Roach.
According to a Grenada 473 Connect Ambassador, Margaret Hector, the initiative is an excellent one on JetBlue‘s part to add a redeye flight from JFK to Grenada for the Spicemas season.
“It brings into consideration the people who are avid carnival lovers and need to work during the day, or for those thinking of a last-minute weekend getaway. It speaks a lot about the love for our country, our cultural celebrations, and our strong diaspora community in the New York City area,” she said. (CMC)
