Airline, Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, has celebrated the 15-year anniversary of its Bournemouth base. Ryanair was the first low-cost airline to operate at Bournemouth Airport, starting with its first flight from Dublin Airport in 1996.
Ryanair opened its base at Bournemouth Airport, growing to now carry over 776,000 passengers per year to/from Bournemouth Airport.
Ryanair’s Bournemouth Summer ‘23 schedule will deliver:
2 based aircraft – $200m investment18 total routes incl. 3 new routes to Carcassonne, Edinburgh, and Venice120+ flights per week28% growth on S22Supporting over 640 jobsThis summer, Ryanair operates its biggest ever summer schedule at Bournemouth Airport with over 120 weekly flights across 18 routes incl. new sunshine destinations, like Carcassonne and Venice, offering Bournemouth’s customers/visitors unbeatable choice at the lowest fares when booking their summer ’23 getaways and driving invaluable inbound tourism for the region at the same time.
To celebrate the 15-year anniversary since our base opening, as well as its record-breaking Bournemouth schedule for Summer ‘23, the airline has launched a special seat sale with fares from just £29.99 for travel between July and Sept available only at Ryanair.com.ADVERTISEMENTRyanair’s Head of Communications, Jade Kirwan said:
“We are delighted to celebrate 15 years since our base opening at Bournemouth Airport. Ryanair has operated at Bournemouth Airport since 1996 and our record Summer ’23 schedule of more than 18 routes will not only provide Bournemouth’s customers/visitors with an unbeatable selection of sunny hotspots and vibrant European city break destinations for their Summer ’23 getaways, particularly the likes of Budapest, Dublin, Faro, Venice, and Zadar where we operate exclusively to/from Bournemouth Airport, but will continue to promote important regional development through the support of over 640 local jobs, and delivery of even greater connectivity with Europe and its millions of holidaymakers.
To celebrate this significant milestone, we have launched a special seat sale with fares from £29.99 for travel between July and Sept available only at Ryanair.com.”
Steve Gill, Managing Director of Bournemouth Airport added:
“In the 15 years since Ryanair opened its base at Bournemouth Airport our partnership has gone from strength to strength with more routes, more choice and more low fares for local people. We look forward to continuing that long association and celebrating further growth in the years to come.”

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On 30th June 2008, the first Jet2.com flight landed in Corfu from Newcastle International Airport and a decade and a half later the leading leisure airline is celebrating 15 years of operating award-winning flights to Corfu. Since 2008, when Jet2.com operated just one route to Corfu, the company has enjoyed tremendous growth, both through Jet2.com and the UK’s largest tour operator Jet2holidays, with over one million customers having travelled to the destination.
Today, the companies operate to Corfu from nine of their UK bases (Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle International) and have over 300,000 seats on sale to the destination this summer. 
In addition, Jet2holidays has nearly 100 hotels on sale in Corfu for Summer 23 and Jet2Villas, which offers customers their own villa and complete privacy alongside the benefits of a package holiday, has over 30 villas on sale this summer to the ever-popular Greek island. 
With up to 41 weekly flights arriving from the UK during peak periods this summer, customers and independent travel agents have unrivalled choice and flexibility when it comes to booking and travelling on award-winning flights and ATOL package holidays to Corfu this summer.
In addition to booking and travelling on award-winning flights and package holidays, customers can experience and enjoy the company’s VIP customer service which has seen Jet2.com and Jet2holidays win high-profile accolades, such as Which? Recommended Provider.  ADVERTISEMENTThis VIP customer service includes friendly low fares, great flight times and a generous 22kg baggage (plus 10kg hand baggage) allowance through a flight-only booking with Jet2.com. Holidaymakers booking through the UK’s largest tour operator, Jet2holidays, receive that very same VIP customer service and flights through Jet2.com, as well as in-resort Customer Helpers, 24/7 customer helpline, transfers, free child places and ATOL protection, all for a low £60 per person booking deposit. 
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “This year marks 15 years since we started operating to Corfu, when we had just one route on sale. Today, we operate an enormous programme with unrivalled frequency to Corfu from the UK and have flown over a million customers to this magnificent destination. Such growth and success over the last two decades would not be possible without the fantastic partnerships we have in Corfu, and I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to hoteliers, airports, tourist boards and all our partners. As we continue to grow and take more customers to Corfu on our award-winning flights and holidays, we will continue to put that partnership approach at the very heart of everything that we do and bring even more happy holidaymakers to the destination.” 
Eleni Skarveli, Greece National Tourism Organisation, Director UK & Ireland, added: “Congratulations to Jet2.com on their 15th anniversary of connecting travellers to the picturesque island of Corfu! Over the years, Jet2.com has provided exceptional service and unforgettable experiences to all their customers visiting Greece. The bond between British travellers and Corfu runs deep, with shared history, cultural exchanges and cherished memories of ginger beer and cricket. Corfu’s idyllic landscapes, adorned with olive groves and turquoise waters, have beckoned British travellers for generations. This strong connection has been nourished by Jet2.com over the last 15 years, offering memorable holidays in Corfu and creating amazing stories. Here’s to reaching 100!”

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As Jamaica’s tourism sector continues its robust recovery, the island has been dubbed the number one Caribbean destination for Delta Vacations in terms of growth. With over fifty years in business, Delta Vacations, a Delta Airlines company, is one of the largest vacations providers in the United States. Delta Airlines is a major airline out of the United States and is a legacy carrier.
The announcement, which follows the island’s double-digit growth in terms of demand and outpacing one of its major competitors, Mexico, was shared during a high-level meeting with Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett and Senior Executives of Delta Airlines at their headquarters in Atlanta yesterday (June 13).
“Jamaica’s tourism products and offerings continue to be top of mind for consumers of our major airline partners like Delta. Coming out of the pandemic, we have seen the demand for Jamaica grow as people search for the real and authentic experiences that we have to offer. It is truly gratifying to see that this growth is evident amongst our key tourism partners and will allow for further discussions for additional seats and routes,” said Minister Bartlett.
The meeting with Delta airlines Senior Executives, forms part of an overarching marketing blitz led by Minister Bartlett and his team, with a series of tourism engagements in the United States, the country’s largest source market.
Atlanta is one of the major cities from which Jamaica welcomes a large influx of American visitors. It also has a strong Diaspora that usually choose to return to Jamaica to vacation and spend in the destination. Data from Delta airlines has also indicted that seats to Jamaica are up ten percent for the upcoming summer, which will add to the very favourable projections as the best summer for the destination.ADVERTISEMENTMr. Bartlett and his team of senior tourism officials have also engaged with other critical stakeholders in New York and Miami to ensure the sector leverages the strong projections for summer.
“Our discussions also explored the possibility of multi destination experiences through Delta’s long-haul routes that coincide with our target for emerging markets like India and Africa. We are looking at visitors from countries opting to make Jamaica a destination spot through these routes,” said Minister Bartlett.

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The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) welcomes the announcement by JetBlue to launch its first-ever nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Nassau.
The new service connecting the United States West Coast to the Islands of The Bahamas will debut on 4 November, with a once- weekly Saturday flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Nassau’s Sir Lynden Pindling Airport (NAS).
“Over the past nine months, the Ministry has been in constant dialogue with key international aviation stakeholders, including JetBlue to increase airlift capacity to meet the demand for travel to our destination.” said the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.“We are thrilled that within a few short months, travellers will be able to board a JetBlue flight in Los Angeles and be in The Bahamas within a matter of hours, to enjoy the beautiful beaches, the rich culture and the myriad of experiences on offer in Nassau and Paradise Island,” said DPM Cooper.
JetBlue’s announcement of the launch of nonstop service from Los Angeles to Nassau comes only days in advance of the Ministry of Tourism’s “Bringing The Bahamas to You” Global Sales Mission Tour scheduled for California 12th – 15th June. The 3-day tour will make stops in Los Angeles and Costa Mesa, to showcase the 16-island destination’s latest tourism offerings and developments, spotlight The Bahamas’ longstanding film legacy and celebrate the milestone 50th Anniversary of Independence.
The Los Angeles/Nassau nonstop route will also allow for more connectivity from major markets in Asia and the Pacific, putting The Bahamas’ 16 destinations in easier reach for new visitors. The new Los Angeles/Nassau route will also feature JetBlue’s award-winning Mint premium service.ADVERTISEMENTLos Angeles International Airport is the world’s fifth busiest airport, with 645 daily commercial flights to 162 destinations.

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The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is pleased to announce a new partnership with JetBlue Airlines, New York’s Hometown Airline®, which today revealed the first-ever nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Belize’s Phillip S.W. Goldson.
Marking New York as the 11th U.S. city to offer nonstop service to the Central American nation, JetBlue will operate year-round roundtrip flights three times a week – Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays – with the inaugural flight scheduled for Dec. 6, 2023.
“We’re thrilled to announce the new partnership between Belize and JetBlue and can’t wait to welcome JetBlue’s first-ever flight to our country in December,” said Hon. Anthony Mahler, Belize’s Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations. “This is a huge win for our ongoing efforts to make Belize accessible to more U.S. visitors, with JFK being one of the biggest air travel hubs for tens of millions of travelers. We’re excited for JetBlue to join the family of airline partners offering nonstop flight options to Belize and we invite everyone to visit and discover the beauty of this enchanting country and all that it has to offer.”
“JetBlue is committed to delivering exceptional travel experiences to our customers and our expansion to Belize reflects our dedication to connecting customers to the most popular and unique destinations,” said David Jehn, vice president of network planning and partnerships, JetBlue. “We look forward to not only introducing our low fares and great service to Belize customers but also providing access to all the cities we serve from New York.”
Belize is quickly becoming a popular destination for American travelers. As of April 2023, more than 68% of all overnight arrivals to the destination came from the United States. This is expected to increase thanks to the new direct flight service and represents a very optimistic outlook for the dynamic growth of the Belizean tourism industry.ADVERTISEMENTAs one of Central America’s most biodiverse countries, Belize is home to the largest Barrier Reef in the Northern and Western Hemispheres, indigenous cultures, mystical Maya caves, pristine Caribbean waters, wondrous aquatic habitats, lush tropical jungles, wildlife reserves, and cascading flora and fauna. Belize is the only English-speaking country in the region where the U.S. dollar is widely accepted making it an ideal vacation destination where numerous adventures are waiting to be had. To learn more, visit travelbelize.org.

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The St. Kitts Tourism Authority is proud to announce its strategic collaboration with JetBlue, marking the commencement of direct, year-round service from New York (JFK) to St. Kitts, three times weekly beginning November 2nd.This partnership is an integral step towards expanding international travel opportunities and enhancing accessibility to the island.
Available year-round, these direct flights will offer seamless travel experiences to and from New York and St. Kitts.  The service will operate weekly on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays providing travellers with greater flexibility.
“The introduction of JetBlue’s service to St. Kitts marks a significant milestone for our tourism-driven economy, as it enhances our accessibility and strengthens our global connectivity monumentally,” said Honourable Marsha T. Henderson, Minister of Tourism, International Transport, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Employment, and Labour.  “The additional airlift will undoubtedly stimulate economic growth and pave the way for further destination development, ultimately benefiting the people and businesses of St. Kitts.”
“We look forward to introducing our low fares and great service to St Kitts customers and offering our Northeast customers a unique island getaway where they can find pristine beaches, adventure, world-class gastronomy and warm hospitality,” said David Jehn, vice president, network planning and partnerships, JetBlue. “This new nonstop route aims to continue to grow our presence in the Caribbean and bring more choices for our customers.”
JetBlue will operate the new route using its Airbus A320 aircraft, offering the airline’s award-winning service featuring the most legroom in coach, live television and on-demand entertainment on every seatback, free and fast Fly-Fi broadband internet, complimentary snacks and soft drinks and great customer service.ADVERTISEMENT“JetBlue’s service to St. Kitts heralds an exciting future for tourism, opening a world of possibilities for travellers seeking to experience our island’s authenticity and rich culture,” said Ellison “Tommy” Thompson, CEO of St. Kitts Tourism Authority. “As we work to further build brand awareness and generate demand, it is anticipated that this increased accessibility will bolster our tourism industry and enable new opportunities to further develop the tourism product.”
Seats are available for booking now, with service between New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to St. Kitts Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) commencing this fall ahead of the 2023 holiday season.
St. Kitts is experiencing continuous growth in connectivity internationally. With the introduction of the new JetBlue route, St. Kitts will now have year-round service from New York (JFK), London (Gatwick), and Miami.
For more information on JetBlue, visit: https://www.jetblue.com/. For those traveling in groups of 10 or more, please visit https://www.jetblue.com/traveling-together/group-travel and complete the corresponding forms for reduced rates.
Visitors are reminded to regularly check the St. Kitts Tourism Authority website (www.visitstkitts.com)  for updates and information.

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The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) “Focus Africa” drive is gaining momentum, spurred on by the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) as its newest partners.
Focus Africa will strengthen aviation’s contribution to Africa’s economic and social development and improve connectivity, safety and reliability for passengers and shippers. It will see private and public stakeholders deliver measurable progress in six critical areas: safety, infrastructure, connectivity, finance and distribution, sustainability and skills development.
“Focus Africa is all about establishing a coalition of partners committing to pool their resources and delivering a set of African air transport solutions that let the continent, its people and economies play a greater, more meaningful and representative role in the global economy.  The combined contributions of AFCAC and AASA will be critical to Focus Africa’s success. Africa accounts for 18% of the global population but less than 3% of global GDP and just 2.1% of air passenger and cargo transport activity. With the right interventions those gaps will be closed, and Africa will benefit from the connectivity, jobs and growth that aviation enables,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
“The ability to access, serve and develop intra-African markets is crucial as the continent’s populace is set to increase by over a billion people by 2050. For this to be sustainable, economic opportunities must be created. As other regions have demonstrated, air transport connectivity unlocks broad prosperity. As the African Union’s civil aviation agency, we will support Focus Africa through our work developing a set of harmonized rules and regulations designed to make this connectivity a reality and drive our strategic objectives,” said AFCAC Secretary-General, Adefunke Adeyemi.
“Time is not on our side as AASA’s members and the communities they serve face rising costs, unprecedented unemployment, obsolete constraints on trade and market access, inadequate infrastructure and a looming skills shortage. These demand urgent action, so we do not get stranded on the runway. It is why we have no hesitation standing with IATA and other Focus Africa partners,” added AASA CEO, Aaron Munetsi.ADVERTISEMENTLeaders and decision-makers from airlines, airports, air navigation services, government agencies, aircraft manufacturers, industry suppliers and other stakeholders will convene at the IATA Focus Africa Conference, hosted by Ethiopian Airlines, in Addis Ababa on 20-21 June, to address the six priority task areas in detail.

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Over half of Brits (56%) say the pandemic changed their views on travel with over a third saying they put more value on enjoying life and prefer to make lifelong memories over spending their money on material itemsAs well as using their pandemic savings, Brits are choosing to save on takeaways (45%), dinners and drinks out (42%) and clothing & accessories (30%) and are shifting toward more budget friendly airlines this summerThis focus on travel is set to continue with 9 in 10 Brits saying they will travel more or about the same in 2024British holidaymakers are prioritising trips abroad more than ever, despite the cost-of-living according to new research of 2,000 British adults by easyJet and released today.
New data reveals that as well as the current economic climate not deterring Brits from their holidays, in fact it shows they are placing even more value on travel than before.
Value of the Holiday
Nearly six in 10 Brits (57%) say that despite the cost-of-living, they will always protect their summer holiday. New research finds that travelling is now in fact considered more important with people (45%) needing something to look forward to and 37% needing to get a break away from home and work life.
As a result, four in five (80%) of Brits said they will still be taking a holiday this summer. Europe is the top spot for British holidaymakers with two-thirds (74%) heading there this summer, with Spain (23%), Greece (9%) and France (5%) the most popular destinationsADVERTISEMENTResearch finds that the majority of Brits (87%) will spend more or about the same on holidays this year than last year despite the cost-of-living, with many placing high value on taking a break (42%) and believing making memories are more important than anything (37%).
Post Pandemic Trends
Over half of Brits (56%) say that the pandemic has changed their views on travel with over a third (35%) saying that they now put more value on enjoying life.
Nearly one in three (30%) Brits say that they used to take travel for granted but following the pandemic restrictions now want to make the most of it.
That’s why almost a quarter (23%) say that they are even travelling more than before the pandemic with half of them (48%) saying that they now value experience more than items. Over two-fifths (46%) say that they need more breaks from day-to-day life and a similar number (39%) say that they want to make up for the years they couldn’t travel.
In fact, nearly half of Brits (47%) made savings during the pandemic and are now using that money to spend on travelling.
Safeguarding the summer holiday
Four in five (82%) Brits are currently saving on the likes of takeaways (45%), dinners and drinks out (42%) and clothing & accessories (30%) to make sure they can safeguard their summer holiday.
If Brits had a choice, they would prefer to spend their money on their summer holiday (66%) versus house renovations (49%), a new car (39%) or a home office (16%).
More than two thirds of holidaymakers are also being more cost effective when it comes to travelling this year (65%) by booking more budget friendly hotels and resorts (27%) and nearly half (45%) of Brits will be more likely to book flights with a low-cost carrier than before the pandemic.
CEO Johan Lundgren said:
“The summer holiday has always been the highlight of the year for so many, giving people and families the chance to get away, spend time together relaxing and making lifelong memories.
The pandemic has meant that travel is once again highly valued, sitting firmly as the number one priority for household discretionary spend. And rather than the cost of living dampening demand, instead it seems travel is more important than ever, with more customers opting for airlines like easyJet which promise the best value.”
Future
Looking ahead to next year, this focus on travel is set to continue with 9 in 10 Brits say they will travel more or about the same in 2024.

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