More airlift for island
Tuesday August 16 2011 | 09:47 AM

Barbados is getting back its American Eagle Puerto Rico service months after it was grounded.

From November 18 the carrier owned by American Airlines will be winging its way here once more from the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan.

The reinstatement of the service was reportedly made following discussions between the company and Barbados tourism officials and will be in place one month before the start of the busy winter tourist season. It's return also means competition for regional carrier LIAT.

Peter Dolara, American Airlines Senior Vice President for Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America, said his company was "delighted to reinstate our service between San Juan and Barbados and offer our customers more options to visit the Caribbean paradise".

The new service will be twice weekly on Fridays and Sundays and will be operated using 64-seater ATR-72 turboprop aircraft.

"Barbados is an island famous for its white sand beaches, perfect blue skies and spectacular hotels. It offers a variety of activities for the adventurous and lovers of food," Dolara said in a statement.

"There is much to experience in Barbados - from deep sea fishing, mountain climbing, golf and enjoy first-class hotels, plus the delight of fine cuisine. It is a popular destination for travelers coming from and through San Juan."

Barbados Tourism Authority President David Rice was also happy to see the return of the service within the next three months.

"The Barbados Tourism Authority we are extremely pleased with American Eagle's decision to restart the route San Juan/Barbados. We see American Eagle as one of our most valuable partners," he said.

"Biweekly relaying service provides us with a great opportunity to develop the arrivals of visitors from San Juan and other markets in the Caribbean and South America. Also, provide more travel options for residents of Barbados."

American Eagle had been forced to ground its flights to the Grantley Adams International Airport following "deep cutbacks" in the region announced by its parent company American Airlines.

AA subsequently announced that it was looking to operate its subsidiary as an independent airline on a nine-year contract. This, management said, would allow the smaller airline to "increase business and compete with other airlines".

American Eagle operates more than 1,700 daily flights to destinations throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico.