ROSEAU, Dominica – The Dominica government Friday welcomed the decision by American Airlines to begin direct flights into the island from Miami, saying that it augurs well for the development of the local tourism sector.
Tourism Minister Denise Charles said that the airline would operate two direct flights weekly on Wednesday and Saturdays from December 8, and that a test flight by American Airlines on June 22 was “the last stage of technical process to confirm that the service could operate fully and effectively on the route.
“Today, the company has publicly announced their intentions to commence operations this December. This significant announcement by American Airlines is one that many have worked tirelessly towards (and) it also affirms the significant investments that we have made and continue to make to improve our tourism product and hotel plant”.
Charles said that the initiative by American Airlines is part of the plan by tourism officials here to increase visitor arrivals alongside the efforts to construct an international airport here.
“Direct access will not only play a critical role in expanding tourism but also in developing trade and facilitating business connections,” she said, noting that earlier this week, the Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines (CAL) began a direct service between the two destinations.
“These developments are very timely we seek to rapidly climb out of the challenges posed to our tourism industry by the COVID-19) pandemic.
She said in the coming winter season, the direct services will provide North American visitors with the added confidence of uninterrupted travel “to and from Dominica with full compliance with our protocols.
“As a destination our management of the pandemic has been recognized globally as one of the safest places to travel,” she said, noting that earlier this year, had received the Safe Travel Stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council.
She said more recently the US-based Centers for Disease Control had categorized the island as Level I for travel to the destination.
“Let us all continue to be focus as a country as we get ready to receive this new service and any new visitors that it will bring to our shores,” she added
