American Airlines will begin a second service to Bermuda tomorrow from New York’s JFK Airport. That will push up to 18 per cent the increase in commercial airline seats flying to Bermuda in the first quarter of 2016 when compared to the first quarter of 2015.

“Our ongoing dialogues with airline partners are showing results,” said Shawn Crockwell, the Tourism Minister. “Not only do we have the added airlift from New York on American Airlines, we’ve seen other airlines fly more often this winter than they did last winter. This is good news for residents and business people who rely on air travel, but also presents an opportunity to the Bermuda Tourism Authority to attract more visitors.”

In the second quarter, a six per cent increase in seats is forecast, making for two consecutive quarters of additional airlift, which represents 24,222 more commercial airline seats available to Bermuda, according to a Ministry statement released this morning.

In 2015, every quarter of the year experienced a decrease in airlift — down 9.2 per cent or 51,090 fewer commercial airline seats.

Typically an increase in the supply of commercial airline seats brings more competitive prices for travellers, added the statement.

Bermuda Tourism Authority CEO Bill Hanbury said: “Airline seats to Bermuda are down 30 per cent in the past decade. That’s why we’re working hard to grow demand and assist our partners in government who negotiate with airlines. The first two quarters of this year are encouraging and with promotions like the Pink Sale we are making strides to fill those seats.”

Through the third quarter of 2015, vacation air arrivals were the best performing type of traveller. Vacationer travel was down 0.8 per cent, business travel was off 4.5 per cent and visiting friends and family was down nine per cent. Fewer Bermuda-based employees in the international business sector and fewer visiting friends and family of expats are partly responsible for the lagging performance in the non-vacationer categories.

American Airlines flight 1428, its second from New York’s JFK, is scheduled to depart at noon eastern time and arrive in Bermuda at 3.05pm local time. It will return to JFK same day with a departure at 4.00pm, arriving at JFK at 5.30pm eastern time.

The additional flight will operate every day of the week except on Tuesdays.

The inaugural AA flight will be greeted tomorrow with the ceremonial water cannon salute on the taxiway at L.F. Wade International Airport.

• To see the statement in full, click on the PDF under “Related Media”.