Flights From Newark To Return Starting May 6
“We expect to have United Airlines service from Newark returning with daily service starting on May 6,” Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] Interim CEO Glenn Jones said.
In an email sent out to stakeholders, Mr Jones said, “Bermuda is halfway through a week of significant changes to its airlift picture.
- Last weekend JetBlue resumed direct service from Boston three times per week;
- Yesterday, British Airways moved its London service from Gatwick to Heathrow;
- And Charlotte will be the gateway to Bermuda from the United States for American Airlines five times per week, at least for the time being.
“The above complements existing air service for JetBlue from New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport as well as Delta’s service from two major airports: New York’s JFK and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International. In May, we expect to have United Airlines service from Newark returning with daily service starting on May 6.
“All of these moves are consistent with what our team here at the Bermuda Tourism Authority has shared with our stakeholders. But that doesn’t mean these developments are without surprises.
“Last fall, when we shared news about the London switch to Heathrow, we thought it would take effect at a time when the world was much farther along in pandemic recovery. Instead, what we have is one flight per week from London and a British citizenry still in lockdown.
“We’re hoping the London service increases to three times weekly in May and five times per week in June. That would be in sync with the British government’s phased comeback plan. If the timeline holds, it aligns perfectly with the busiest time of year for Bermuda’s leisure travel industry. That would be a plus, but at this point, it’s also wishful thinking.
“Airlines are changing schedules to chase load factors and they’ll do it with as little as 30 days’ notice. That’s what makes the cruise homeport plan from the Ministry of Transport so interesting.
“Nothing motivates an airline schedule like demand. And if the traveller sentiment surveys are any indication, consumers are ready to cruise again. The Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas cruise from Bermuda to a private island in the Bahamas should generate airline seat demand for Bermuda routes. Every cruise cabin sold to someone not from Bermuda needs a seat on a commercial aircraft in order to board the ship.
“Once these travellers book cruise cabins and fill airline seats, we hope it helps protect Bermuda’s planned airlift for this summer—Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York’s LaGuardia, etc. Royal Caribbean needs this seat capacity for cruise passengers; Bermuda needs it for hotel and vacation rental stays.
“A collection of Bermuda partners is consistently talking to airlines about the demand picture. Fortunately, the picture coming into focus for this summer is an attractive one for the island’s tourism recovery. That’s the good news.
“So, what’s the bad news? Things change quickly. See the latest Bermuda flight schedules at the Skyport website. Part of a tourism business? Sign up with BTAConnect today.”
The April Flight Schedule follows below [PDF here]:
