Virgin Atlantic Airways today announced that it plans to launch direct weekly services between London Gatwick and Tobago and Grenada from May 2003 and is also planning to launch a weekly Manchester – Barbados service in Winter 2003.
In addition to these new routes the airline will also expand its existing services between Gatwick and Barbados, St Lucia and Antigua.
Commenting on the announcement, Sir Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Atlantic said today: “Virgin Atlantic entered the Caribbean market in 1998 introducing services between Gatwick and Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia and by the end of this year we will have flown over 1 million passengers on the Caribbean routes.
“Passengers travelling to Grenada and Tobago will now be able to benefit from Virgin Atlantic’s award winning service and attractive fares while those in Manchester will be able to fly direct with Virgin to the Caribbean for the first time.”
The expansion plans mean Virgin Atlantic will be offering nearly 6500 seats each week by Winter 2003 – an increase in capacity to the Caribbean of over 110%.
The new weekly service from London Gatwick to Tobago and then onto Grenada will depart on Monday mornings and will be operated by a Boeing 747. The return service will depart both islands on Monday evenings and arrive into London Gatwick early on Tuesdays.
