(October 8, 2022 )– St. John’s, Antigua – The dual-island destination of Antigua & Barbuda is seeing an uptick in Canadian traffic just in time for the winter travel season.
Beginning today, October 8th, a new offering of flights from Air Canada is expected to help realize a recovery to pre-pandemic airlift levels in the Canadian market.
The Air Canada flight arrived this afternoon carrying 106 passengers from Toronto and the aircraft was given a welcome back water cannon salute. Passengers were also greeted by cultural dancers, music and small welcome tokens.
“We are extremely pleased with Air Canada’s decision to both resume and increase service to our shores and look forward to extending our famous Antigua and Barbuda hospitality to our Canadian visitors,” said The Honorable Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism and Investment. “We know many Canadians are more than ready for a vacation and we are equally ready to provide the relaxation and escape that Canadians have been craving.”
As noted, the rollout of the new service begins today with a single direct flight weekly from Toronto (YYZ) to St. John’s (ANU). Service will continue to ramp up to meet the traditional demand of the holiday season, with Air Canada forecasting the eventual operation of five weekly flights at peak traffic.
Travellers from Montreal looking to fly south for the winter can look forward to once-a-week direct flights (YUL to ANU) beginning December 23rd.
The return of Air Canada flights to Antigua & Barbuda comes in the wake of the destination’s latest travel advisory, which has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions for passengers arriving by air, yacht, and ferry. While a successful strategy of mass vaccinations and proactive public awareness campaigns has kept COVID-19 infection levels low, visitors are still encouraged to wear mask and practice social distancing in public spaces where crowds are likely to gather. You can read the latest travel advisory here.
“Over the course of the pandemic, Antigua and Barbuda has seen a monumental, joint effort involving both the government and industry stakeholders to make the destination as safe as it can be,” said Colin James, Chief Executive Officer of The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. “With that goal now realized and our Canadian friends set to return, we are extremely excited that our guests will once again be able to experience everything our home has to offer.”
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Congrats to get negotiations by the Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism. We welcome all the airlift which will be choosing our country as Port of entry with overnight stays.
There’s a new hope for Antigua and Barbuda to go to the next level.
Cheers 🇦🇬
… And hopefully in kind, our government has negotiated with Canada 🇨🇦 to ease the Visa restrictions on Antiguans travelling to their shores.
I very much doubt it though knowing how Gaston Browne and the ABLP are functioning at present.
WHERE MAX FERNÁNDEZ DEY, AND WHAT’S HIS TAKE ON THIS …?
It’s not a policy against Antigua and Barbuda specifically. If they lift the restrictions for Antigua and Barbuda, they would be approached by many other islands seeking easement as well. Let’s not push it at this time. Let’s enjoy the aitlift at this moment.
Airlift*
@Brixtonian – I don’t mean to sound crass but other than visiting family or friends there, why would you want to visit Canada?
It’s cold and dark, picture a walk-in freezer with a burnt out light bulb.
I hear you Dave, but you do make me smile in your STEADFAST defense of Gaston Browne and the ABLP’S harmful policies to the citizens of Antigua & Barbuda.
However, I do recognise your DEMOCRATIC right to do so … 👍
Is this the same air canada those #UPPNEARGA was overjoyed about when they had suspended flights earlier? Guess what, such news like this one would never make it on “REALNEWS”.
It doesn’t matter, how many tourists, visitors or staycationers who support the Tourism Industry, unless, the TOURISM DEPARTMENTS begin to actually develop, manage and maintain such things as FIVE STAR RESORTS and other local attractions and entertainments, then most of those tourism dollars will still not circulate in the Nation long enough to move the poverty index to take the Nation, to the perceived ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE.
Jolly Harbour Hotel is the perfect project to establish a Five Star Resort and Entertainment Complex for the entire family.
Jumbee_Picknee!
good water fu wash my balls a wash off plane 😑
@strike force….😅😅rassclath! A tru dat??
Am I reading this correctly? Air Canada resumes service once a week from Toronto to Antigua and a new service once a week will be added from Antigua to Montreal in December. How does this warrant such a spectacular headline with water cannons and a whole cultural fiesta welcome?
This is really a Government of Headines. SMDH!!!
Five flights a week during the holiday season on Air Canada? Shouldn’t these flights already be in the booking system? Christmas is about 10 weeks away. Another sensational announcement that is false.
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