Talks in Progress for Direct Flights from Connecticut

Come next year, there could be direct flights from Bradley International Airport, in Connecticut, to Jamaica, as a result of talks between Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Ralph Thomas, and Executive Director of the airport, Kevin Dillon.

“Direct service from Jamaica will serve a whole core of our population that we try to serve here in the Hartford, Connecticut area. This will open up enormous opportunity for both Jamaica and Hartford,” Mr. Dillon said, in a meeting with the Ambassador, on November 30, in Hartford.

He added that the non-stop service would add tremendously to Jamaica’s tourism product and will open many doors for increased travel from Hartford to Jamaica.

Mr. Dillon noted that the service would  also present opportunities for cargo movement between Jamaica and other Caribbean islands, as once the service is established, it would also offer connecting flights to other Caribbean islands.

He said the Connecticut Airport Authority stands ready to offer incentives and would be seeking to attract airlines to fly directly from Hartford.

For his part, the Ambassador said he was pleased with the outcome of the meeting, adding that the airport executives were very positive and there was a strong interest in providing incentives to airlines that will fly out of Bradley into Jamaica.

Ambassador Thomas argued that the profitability of such airlines hinges on having cargo along with passengers, and the Hartford route can sustain this proposal, because the city has the third largest Jamaican population, and a large Caribbean diaspora.

He said that early next year, follow-up meetings will be held with the Connecticut Airport Authority, the Airport Authority of Jamaica, the Jamaica Tourist Board and interested airlines.