Date: 24th March 2021, Bridgetown, Barbados
On October 20th, 2021, Barbados is set to become the first Aer Lingus Caribbean destination with three weekly services between Manchester (IATA: MAN) and Bridgetown (IATA: BGI, Grantley Adams International Airport), Barbados.
Flights will operate twice weekly until the beginning of November 2021, when they will then increase to three times per week, offering even more access to the beautiful island of Barbados for UK and Irish holidaymakers.
The new direct route from Manchester will operate on an Airbus A330-300 series, with both economy (287 seats) and business class (30 seats) fares. Flights are on sale from today, March 24th, 2021 and will depart Manchester at 10:15 and arrive at Bridgetown at 14:35.
Please see below for the full schedule.
Strategic Manchester gateway
Manchester Airport is the UK’s third largest airport, and the largest outside London, serving more than 22 million people within a two-hour drive and handling more than 27 million passengers per year.
Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Senator the Hon. Lisa Cummins, welcomed the announcement, saying, “Barbados is today celebrating the news that Aer Lingus will begin flying from Manchester to Bridgetown this October. The establishment of this new service, from one of the busiest airports in the UK, will offer even more connectivity options for UK holidaymakers, business travellers and residents. Manchester Airport serves over 22 million people and is easily accessible from all over Northern England and Scotland, by road, air and rail. We look forward to showing UK travellers that Barbados is a safe place for everyone to enjoy”.
Irish links
Commenting on Barbados’ historical links with Ireland, Minister Cummins said, “Barbados has a long, shared history with Ireland, one which is of great significance and importance to the many Barbadians of Irish heritage. The establishment of this new Aer Lingus route will allow the relationship between our two countries to continue to grow and flourish.”
She continued, “With connectivity from both Dublin, Belfast and Cork, it is now easier than ever for Irish people to come and explore the beautiful Island of Barbados. This is the start of a long-term relationship with Aer Lingus. In the future, Barbados hopes to see a direct service from Dublin to complement this Manchester route.”
Barbados is ready
In addition to having strict travel protocols in place for travellers, Barbados has so far vaccinated 60,000 individuals, which represents about 30% of the adult population, giving holidaymakers reassurance when planning their trip. Barbados now leads the way as the most vaccinated country in the Caribbean.
Minister Cummins added that “We are hoping that over the coming months we will have a new look tourism industry that will reflect the new public health imperatives, and by October when the service commences, our partners and Barbados alike would have achieved our respective vaccination level targets that allow for the safe resumption of travel and the return of traveller confidence.”
Barbados Welcome Stamp
In July 2020, Barbados launched the 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp visa offers individuals from across the globe the opportunity to live and work remotely in paradise. Over 500 people from the UK and over 70 people from Ireland have applied for the visa to date, with many now working remotely from the island.
Fare information
Aer Lingus ‘Book with Confidence’ guarantee will apply to all bookings, allowing passengers to change their booking, regardless of fare type and price, up until December 31st, 2021, as many times as they want, even if the new fare is different (please note, fare differences may apply).
- Fly from Dublin via Manchester to Bridgetown from €598 economy return and from €2,500 business one-way.
- ·Fly from Cork via Manchester to Bridgetown from €618 economy return and from €2,600 business one-way.
- Fly from Manchester to Bridgetown from £199 economy one-way and from £1,175 business one-way.
- Fly from Belfast via Manchester to Bridgetown from £608 economy return and from £2,350 business one-way.
Barbados with Aer Lingus is now on sale via www.aerlingus.com or your local travel agent.
ENDS
Media Contacts Ireland
Michael Collins, TravelMedia.ie, Michael@travelmedia.ie, +353 86 858 3585
Niamh Waters, TravelMedia.ie, Niamh@travelmedia.ie, +353 86 049 2394
Aer Lingus Ireland
Paula Donaghy, Aer Lingus, Paula.Donaghy@aerlingus.com
Aer Lingus UK
Michael Johnson, The PC Agency, mj@pc.agency, +44 207 768 0001
Notes to editor:
MEDIA KIT AND IMAGES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/86mltemdze49o5u/AAAktkZ5VA0xFisi08yIwnFla?dl=0
Current Travel Protocols to Barbados
As we welcome you back to our beautiful island there are a number of precautions and safeguards being implemented to protect both locals and visitors while on island. Please see the official travel protocols for visiting Barbados during the COVID-19 pandemic effective February 3rd, 2021:
http://www.barbadostravelprotocols.com/
About Barbados
The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes. Rated as one of the world’s sexiest beaches in 2008 by Concierge.com; Barbados’ Crane Beach in St. Philip stands as a premier destination for travellers. Barbados is also the first Zagat-rated Caribbean island and is known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean. Barbados has hosted several world class events including: The annual Barbados Food & Rum Festival; the 2006 PGA World Golf Championships-Barbados World Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup Finals in 2007, the ICC Twenty20 Cricket Finals for 2010, and the Rihanna LOUD concert in 2012. Accommodations range from picturesque plantation houses and villas, to quaint bed and breakfasts and award-winning, five-star resorts. Grantley Adams International Airport offers even more non-stop and direct service from a growing number of countries, making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean. Barbados was voted eighth in the World by Trip Advisor’s “2008 Travellers’ Choice Destination Awards” in its Top 100 Destinations category. For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org, follow on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados, via Twitter @Barbados.
About Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus is the national airline of Ireland, founded in 1936. It operates 67 aircraft on over 100 routes to destinations in the UK and Europe and flies 16 direct routes to North America. The airline carries more than 12 million guests per annum. Aer Lingus is Ireland’s only 4-Star airline, awarded by Skytrax, the international air transport rating organisation. Its mission is to become the leading value carrier operating across the North Atlantic enabled by a profitable and sustainable short-haul network and supported by a guest-focused brand and a digitally-enabled value proposition. Its home base is Dublin Airport. Aer Lingus is a member of International Airlines Group (IAG), one of the world’s largest airline groups. The new direct route from Manchester will operate on an Airbus A330-300 series, with both economy (287) and business class (30) fares.