AIR Jamaica has launched its own inter-island carrier after abandoning talks with regional airline Liat.
The two parties have been discussing the project for more than three years, but failed to reach agreement.
Air Jamaica vice-president marketing and sales Allen Chastenet said:”We could not agree on their scheduling or fares so decided to go it alone.”
The new airline, Eastern Caribbean Express, will use Barbados as its hub and will make its inaugural flights on February 14.
Its fleet of three Dash-8 aircraft, which have 37 economy seats, will offer daily services to Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and Tobago. Martinique is expected to follow shortly.
“It has cost $10m to get this project off the ground, but with the demand for island-hopping holidays in the Caribbean we believe it is money well spent,” said Chastenet.
“This will open up the market and allow us to compete with the Far East which is known for multi-island visits.”
Air Jamaica has signed a codeshare deal with Virgin giving passengers a through fare to one of the islands served by EC Express.
“Customers will check their luggage in at Heathrow and will pick it up at their final destination with the need to check back in at Barbados. It will be a seamless operation,” said Chastenet.
Transit times in Barbados will be between 45 and 75minutes.
Meanwhile, Air Jamaica and Virgin have also signed a letter of intent to co-operate in future commercial and marketing agreements.
The deal will provide passengers with a raft of different flight services.
In a separate development, Air Jamaica announced it has been given a sixth slot out of Heathrow. It now flies daily with the exception of Tuesdays.