Leisure air arrivals from Canada climbed 20 per cent in the first quarter of 2018.

Bermuda Tourism Authority chief executive Kevin Dallas announced the jump as officials celebrated the 70th anniversary of Air Canada’s service to Bermuda yesterday.

Mr Dallas said the island had enjoyed “a comeback of Canadian visitors after several difficult years”. He told a press gathering at the airport: “In 2017, Bermuda experienced a 19 per cent increase in leisure air visitors from Canada.

“That is sizeable year-over-year growth and we think the island is well positioned to see further growth from Canada.

“Indeed, while our full results won’t be available until next week, we can reveal that in the first quarter of 2018 leisure air arrivals from Canada continued to climb — up 20 per cent over the same quarter a year ago.”

Mr Dallas said Bermuda had partnered with Reach Global Marketing to bring more Canadian passengers to the island.

He said: “A member of the Reach team was at the gate in Toronto this morning participating in an event much like this one — making sure Canadians know about this milestone.”

Transport minister Walter Roban said: “In May 1948, Trans Canada Airlines began twice-weekly service to Bermuda.

“It was with pride for Canadians, as the service began with the first commercial aircraft built entirely in Canada — a 40-seat Canadair plane.

“Today, Trans Canada is now Air Canada and it carries up to four times as many passengers to Bermuda on a single trip.

“Aviation has changed substantially. But a few things remain true. This link has served many — including Bermudians and Canadians — successfully, steadfastly, safely. Here in Bermuda we are very grateful for that.”