Tourism Minister, The Honourable Asot Michael has announced that Antigua and Barbuda will benefit from an additional flight with British Airways for the Summer 2015.

This increase comes following a meeting held with British Airways officials at the BA headquarters in England, but also on the back of the airlines growing confidence in the destination.

The additional flight will take airlift available on British Airways from six to seven flights daily, and will allow the airline's seats to the destination to grow by twenty percent, making way for increased UK tourism arrivals.

Tourism Minister, Asot Michael, updated the airline executives on the Government's long-term development plan to boost tourism going forward. He discussed the Government's commitment to increasing the current rooms on island to 5000 by 2016 and the near completion of the new state of the art airport, the largest in the Easter Caribbean, which will be ready to receive the increased arrivals this coming summer.

He added that the Government has come to an agreement with Petrocaribe/Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA) which will allow fuel costs to the airline to become 10% to 12% cheaper. This news was well-received by British Airways.

The Tourism Minister and CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin James, also discussed marketing partnerships with the airline and reviewed marketing proposals to aid putting Antigua and Barbuda in good stead for the upcoming winter season.

Member of Parliament, the Hon. Paul Chet Green who serves as Minister with responsibility for Heritage sites, also attended the meetings with British Airways. The Minister addressed efforts to enhance the overall tourism product, and of the ongoing review of the islands heritage sites. 

The meeting achieved its overall objective of improving airlift and cooperation between Antigua and Barbuda and British Airways.

For more information on Antigua and Barbuda, visit: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com or call the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority on 0203 668 3800.

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Notes to Editors:
High resolution images of the destination available on request.

Photo caption:
Included alongside Minister of Tourism The Hon. Asot Michael, and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority team are L to R (BA)Ron Vingn - Revenue Manager, Colm Lacy - head of Gatwick Commercial, Ash van Wensveen - Commercial Manager BA Holidays and  Marc James - partnership Manager

Paradise Islands in the Caribbean Sea

Located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, Antigua and its sister island Barbuda are known for their numerous coves, bays and clear turquoise-coloured waters. Served by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick Airport, the eight and a half hour flight will drop you into a tropical paradise to enjoy one of Antigua's 365 white sand beaches. Steeped in culture and history with breathtaking panoramic views it is the perfect destination for family holidays, honeymoons, photo/fashion shoots and more.