Norwegian airline could spell better air access to Dominica

Dominica’s minister for tourism and urban renewal has revealed that the government is putting plans in place to engage the low-cost airline Norwegian in efforts to improve air access into Dominica.

The carrier is providing flights to the neighbouring French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique from the US, and there are discussions with Air Antilles – which flies to Dominica – to capitalise on those flights.

Robert Tonge said that Norwegian’s “amazing rates” make the cost of travelling much easier, especially for large families.

“Norwegian airlines provides amazing rates to travel to Guadeloupe and Martinique,” he said.

“A friend of mine just sent his three kids to the States, guess how much he paid for their tickets from Martinique to the States? He paid US$79 per ticket from Martinique to America.

“So what we have realised is that they have fantastic rates.

He added that the government is already in discussions with Air Antilles to “capitalise on that connection” and to avoid the fuss of staying overnight in Guadeloupe or Martinique.

“Obviously, somebody is subsidising those flights,” Tonge said referring to the Norwegian’s cheap flights.

“What we are going to do is capitalise on that connection. So we actually begin the discussions with Air Antilles so that when that flight comes to Guadeloupe and Martinique, as opposed to having to overnight, and still take the ferry, you have the option of taking a flight and come in the same day.”

Discussions with big airlines

According to Tonge, all of the plans are geared towards having more visitors in Dominica, and to act as an alternative since connections with Barbados and St Lucia sometimes pose a challenge.

“St Lucia has an airport called Hewanora Airport. That airport has as many international flights as Barbados, so we are working with TIA 2000, it is a new airline, again so that you may have another option to come to Dominica,” Tonge said.

Also on the agenda is for the ministry to have a “weekly flight direct from the USA to Dominica.”

“We are in discussions with many of the big airlines again to try to make it easier, not just for you as Dominicans to come to Dominica, but also, for the visitors,” Tonge added.

Original source: Dominica News Online