AMERICAN AIRLINES IS preparing to significantly scale back its Eagle service to the southern Caribbean next year.
But the airline’s country director for Barbados, Wellesley Joseph, yesterday gave the assurance the cuts would not affect the Bridgetown route, while disclosing plans for the introduction of a new tri-weekly, non-stop service out of Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas, effective December 16.
Tourism officials also say the island, which currently operates three Eagle flights out of San Juan, plans to up that service to four from next month. They are also in discussions with American about operating a regional hub out of Bridgetown.
Chief Minister Hubert Hughes had earlier indicated to the NATION that his territory Anguilla, as well as neighbouring St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, and Trinidad and Tobago would be among those facing the AA chopping block.
“They have indicated to us about two months ago that they will be pulling out. They are saying it is not economical for them to continue the service any more,” Hughes said, in an exclusive interview.
He termed the move a major blow for his tourism dependent country, which he said had been subsidising its American Eagle service by as much as US$1.5 million per year and simply could not afford it any more.
Hughes added that with the pending reduction in American Eagle services out of San Juan, effective April 2011, several islands were forced to seek alternatives, and remain in discussion with a number of small carriers.
But Joseph pointed out that “Barbados’ service is not affected in any way, form or fashion”.
“We will continue to fly four flights a day from Barbados to San Juan, Puerto Rico. We will continue to fly two non-stop jets per day to Miami and non-stop every day to New York.”
The AA country director, who is in California this week briefing media personnel on the introduction of the new Dallas service, emphasised that the news was very positive for Barbados at this time.
“Barbados has nothing to do with this. Some islands may have flight reductions or changes . . . but it does not affect Barbados.
“As a matter of fact, there is only growth planned for Barbados. There is no reduction.”
The spokesman for the international carrier, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary of service to the island this year, described AA’s performance out of Barbados as “fantastic”.
“We are doing very well and we are holding our own well with Barbados. Barbados is a very strong destination for us,” he said.
On Friday, a local delegation from the Barbados Tourism Authority, headed by chairman Ralph Taylor, is scheduled to travel to the United States for a meeting with Peter Dolara, the AA senior vice-president – Mexico, Caribbean and Latin America.
