KINGSTON, JAMAICA — It was a warm and festive welcome for Air Canada flight 982 in Montego Bay last weekend, the airline’s first Dreamliner flight into Jamaica.
After departing Toronto on July 4, the signature 787 Boeing aircraft carrying 200 passengers and crew was greeted at Sangster International Airport with a water salute on the tarmac and a lively welcome reception at the terminal. Passengers were met by official representatives Nadine Spence, Area Chair of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon, and Odette Dyer, Regional Director of Tourism for the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).
Air Canada’s signature Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft was greeted with a water welcome at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay
The significance of the moment was not lost on anyone in attendance, as it marked the long-awaited return of the Canadian tourism market following a six-month hiatus due to the global pandemic.
“Canada is the second largest source market for Jamaica and the return of Canadian tourism in Jamaica is welcome news for our country’s hotel partners, attractions, transportation providers, hospitality workers and the thousands of individuals employed in our tourism-related industries,” said Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism. “I am pleased to welcome the return of Air Canada to Jamaica after the six-month hiatus from January this year.”
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- Canadian citizen Kerry Perry, who is being assisted in a wheelchair, meets with a welcoming party at Sangster International Airport
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- Members of the Singh family from Canada were greeted in Jamaica by government and tourism officials
Air Canada and WestJet are the first Canadian airlines to resume service to Montego Bay this July after months of flight restrictions in the first half of 2021. More than 280,000 air seats have been secured from Canada to Jamaica so far this winter as travel bookings surge following the easing of Canada’s international travel restrictions and quarantine protocols.
“Air Canada is very pleased to resume our passenger service to Jamaica, which we have proudly served for more than 70 years,” said Luis Noriega Benet, General Manager, Latin America and the Caribbean, Air Canada. “There is no doubt many Canadians are looking to travel to Jamaica for a long-postponed sun holiday. As well, there are many people both in Jamaica and Canada who are eager to visit with friends and family members they have not been able to see since the pandemic began. We look forward to welcoming everyone on board and celebrating together the rebirth of travel.”
For more information about Jamaica go to visitjamaica.com.
