Dominica: Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has introduced the service of new non-stop flight from Newark to Douglas-Charles Airport of Dominica, which is operated by the United Airlines. The services will commence from February 15, 2025.
Reportedly, the United Airlines will offer Saturday flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and will mark the second direct route from the United States to Dominica. The expansion of the flights follows substantial upgrades at Douglas-Charles Airport.
According to PM Skerrit, the airport will include a 6,351-foot runway extension and the installation of runway grooving, that will allow the larger aircraft and will enhance the safety by reducing flight cancellations. Moreover, the terminal is modernized to increase the capacity and improve operational efficiency.
Considering this, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit highlighted that United Airlines new direct flight to Dominica “is a huge step forward” for the country.
During the press conference conducted by PM Skerrit on September 30, 2024, he emphasised that this is a huge step forward and demonstrates the confidence that there is a growing appetite and interest in people that wants to visit Dominica to work as tourists.
He added that some also want to live and no doubt that this is going to enhance the opportunities for them all in the country, especially the ones in the hotel and hospitality industry.
Prime Minister of Dominica anticipates that the new move will augment the consumption of goods and services on the island and in turn will increase the coffers of the island’s treasury.
Skerrit stated that he was in dilemma to eventually approve the funds because they are building an international airport. He was doubtful about spending $30m to extend the runway.
He said further that ultimately, they recognised it as an important investment to sustain the flights that are coming in that would have eliminated the cancellations because of rain but also there was a very strong indication that they run the benefit of having additional flights to Dominica from new airlines.
Skerrit called this new development “a very important precursor to the international airport” adding that the country would now need to boost its marketing efforts as it expects more airlines which will be interested in providing direct flights to Dominica.
According to him, the Air access is better now in Dominica and they will continue to work towards having more options.
Tourism Minister of Dominica – Denise Charles-Pemberton made the announcement last week that once-weekly flights will connect Newark, New Jersey to Douglas Charles Airport of Dominica in the coming year 2025.
As per Pemberton the new service by United Airlines is a major step forward towards the island which realised the aggressive goal that it has asset for itself and is a part of the strategy being pursued in concert with the development of the new international airport.
Denise Charles said that the route will help to alleviate the access constraints faced by the destination over the years.
Notably, the new route is set to significantly boost Dominica’s tourism industry by providing seamless access from the tri-state area, a major U.S. market for the island. Dominica is preparing for a busy 2025 travel season, with several new hotels set to open, nearly 500 rooms to the destination with a 25% increase in hotel capacity.
CEO of Discover Dominica Authority – Marva Williams stated that the new service will enable Dominica to more fully capitalize on the increasing interest from travelers in visiting the destination.
She said that the added capacity of the service will also enable US-based tour operators to more confidently book group travel to Dominica. They will also share the product offerings with more travelers than ever before, including world-class scuba and free diving, hiking, wellness and cultural experiences.
Furthermore, the flight launch aligns with Dominica’s iconic Mas Domnik Carnival, scheduled for March 3-4, 2025. It is also known as the “Real Mas”. It is a traditional Carnival celebration that features calypso music, lively competitions and a variety of festivities leading up to two days of vibrant events.