Virgin Atlantic Suspends Plans for Edinburgh Barbados Service Winter 2022-23

Manchester and London gateways to Barbados continue to outperform the market with passenger numbers now back at 2019 levels.

Aer Lingus confirms they will return to Manchester for winter 2022-23 season.

Summer 2022 bookings strong as BMTI ‘Summer Savings Campaign’ kicks-in.

 

As the travel industry emerges from the pandemic all airlines, including Virgin Atlantic, are having to make difficult decisions about schedules, networks and the application of limited resources.

 

This week Virgin Atlantic announced it would suspend plans for its Edinburgh to Bridgetown Barbados (EDI-BGI) service for the winter period 2022-2023.

 

‘BTMI* are aware of Virgin Atlantic’s decision and understand its position.‘ – commented Cheryl Carter, Director UK/Ireland, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

 

Virgin Atlantic continues to be an important partner to BTMI, the UK travel industry and for tourism to Barbados.

 

Visitors to Barbados from Scotland and Northern England have numerous options when flying to Bridgetown. Aer Lingus and Virgin Atlantic fly direct to Barbados from Manchester throughout the winter. Aer Lingus have just announced the renewal of their winter 2022-23 Manchester service after a successful inaugural year in 2021-22.

 

British Airways connect seamlessly from multiple Scottish airports via London Heathrow to Barbados with up to three flights a day in peak season, including a Gatwick service in the winter. British Airways will soon celebrate 70 years of flying to Barbados.

 

Last week the ‘Barbados Celtic Festival’ returned to the island after a two-year gap during the pandemic. Scottish musicians and media travelled to Barbados with British Airways for the festival.

 

Barbados had a very successful winter 2021-22 season with visitor numbers back to 2019 levels. All hoteliers reported a very strong season. Likewise, both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic saw strong demand for Barbados during the winter.

 

The Barbados Summer Savings campaign launched by BTMI in March is having a positive impact with strong hotel and flight demand from the UK for the summer months. The Barbados Summer Savings campaign offers consumers discounts of up to 55% when booking on BarbadosSummerSavings.com.

 

BTMI will continue to work closely with Virgin Atlantic on both their Manchester Airport (MAN) and London (LHR and LGW) Barbados services. Virgin Atlantic operates a seasonal service from Manchester Airport to Barbados, three times a week, October through March and an all year ‘round service, up to twice daily, from London Heathrow.

 

Virgin Atlantic customers who have already booked flights to Barbados for winter 2022-23 will be contacted by the airline or their travel agent and will be re-booked via Manchester Airport, or can choose a voucher or full refund.

 

ENDS

* (Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.)

 

About Barbados

The island of Barbados offers a unique Caribbean experience steeped in rich history and colourful culture, and rooted in remarkable landscapes. Barbados is the home of two of the three remaining Jacobean Mansions left in the Western hemisphere, as well as fully functional rum distilleries. In fact, this island is known as the birthplace of rum, commercially producing and bottling the spirit since the 1700s. Each year, Barbados hosts several world-class events including the annual Barbados Food and Rum Festival; the annual Barbados Reggae Festival; and the annual Crop Over Festival, where celebrities such as Lewis Hamilton and its very own Rihanna are often spotted. Accommodations are wide and varied, ranging from picturesque plantation houses and villas to quaint bed and breakfast gems; prestigious international chains; and award-winning five-diamond resorts. In 2018, Barbados’ accommodation sector captured 13 awards in the Top Hotels Overall, Luxury, All-Inclusive, Small, Best Service, Bargain, and Romance categories of the ‘Traveler’s Choice Awards’. And getting to paradise is a breeze: the Grantley Adams International Airport offers plenty non-stop and direct services from a growing number of U.S., U.K., Canadian, Caribbean, European, and Latin American gateways, making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean. Visit Barbados and experience why for two years in a row it won the prestigious Star Winter Sun Destination Award at the ‘Travel Bulletin Star Awards’ in 2017 and 2018.

For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org, follow on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados, and via Twitter @Barbados.