Avelo Airlines Makes Successful Landing in Jamaica With New Nonstop Service From Hartford to Montego Bay
By Lyndon Taylor
Avelo Airlines marked a significant milestone in its expansion strategy with the successful launch of its inaugural nonstop flight from Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The celebration, which began in Hartford, continued on board the flight, and culminated in a vibrant reception in Montego Bay, highlighted the growing ties between the Northeast U.S. and the island nation.
Above: Jamaica’s Ambassador to the US, HE Audrey Marks (center) poses with the JTB team led by Victoria Harper, Northeast
USA District Sales Manager (2nd right) and Business Development Manager Carey Dennis (right) along with Mary Coursey, Communications/PR Partner, Avelo Airlines (left) and Janette Carless, Certified Travel Consultant.
The festivities kicked off in Hartford where Avelo Airlines passengers were treated to complimentary swag bags, generously provided by the airline and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), led by Northeast USA District Sales Manager Victoria Harper and Business Development Manager Carey Dennis.
The gifts set the tone for what was an exciting journey as passengers boarded the plane, eager to experience the new route. Onboard, the atmosphere was filled with excitement, as the crew and guests celebrated the historic flight, marking Montego Bay as Avelo’s first international destination.
Upon arrival at Sangster International Airport, the atmosphere was electric. The passengers were greeted by the lively sounds of mento music, and welcomed by local tourism officials who presented them with special gift bags containing Blue Mountain coffee and authentic Jamaican spices. It was a warm, island-style reception that perfectly captured the spirit of Jamaican hospitality. Even the kids on board were in a festive mood.
During a brief inaugural reception ceremony, Councilor Dwight Crawford, Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, expressed his gratitude to Avelo Airlines for choosing Jamaica as its first international destination. “We are thrilled to welcome Avelo Airlines to Montego Bay,” said Crawford. “This new nonstop service from Hartford strengthens our relationship with the vibrant Jamaican Diaspora in Connecticut and opens up exciting opportunities for both our visitors and the local economy.”
Connecticut’s Deputy Speaker and State
Representative, Bobby Gibson, who was among the
passengers on the inaugural flight, noted that it
required a lot of negotiations to secure the necessary
state funding to support the new service from their
hometown airline and singled out the persistent
efforts of Andrew Lawrence, President of the Caribbean Trade Council, who worked tirelessly to ensure that the new service was a reality. “This is a proud moment for Hartford and Connecticut, and it’s a testament to the hard work that went into making this new flight possible,” Gibson said.
Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks, who was also on board the inaugural flight, expressed her enthusiasm for the new service and encouraged members of the Jamaican Diaspora to support it. “This is a critical route for us, and we hope to see it thrive,” said Ambassador Marks. “We want Avelo Airlines to not only continue this service but to expand and open more gateways to Jamaica in the future.”
Donovan White, Director of Tourism for Jamaica, echoed Ambassador Marks’ sentiments. Representing the Honorable Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, White noted that the new route is not just a direct connection between Hartford and Montego Bay, but a bridge for leisure travelers from New England. “This new service enhances our connection with the Jamaican Diaspora in Connecticut, while offering travelers the chance to experience the richness of Jamaica’s culture, natural beauty, and world-class attractions,” White said.
Giselle Cortes, Head of Airports at Avelo Airlines, in her brief remarks expressed gratitude for the partnership between Jamaica and Avelo. “We are grateful to be creating history for Avelo as Montego Bay has become our first international destination and we are very proud to be landing in Jamaica. At Avelo, we have a saying which is ‘One Crew’ while Jamaica has a saying of ‘One Love’. Both ‘One Crew’ and ‘One Love’ have come together to make it the ‘One Love Crew’, she said.
The new service, which will operate twice weekly on Saturdays and Wednesdays, is expected to strengthen Avelo Airlines’ presence in the Northeast U.S. while providing a vital link between Connecticut and Jamaica. The airline anticipates that the route will boost tourism from the U.S. Northeast and further solidify the bond between the two destinations.
With the successful launch of this route, Avelo Airlines and Jamaica have not only made history but also set the stage for more exciting possibilities for travelers eager to explore the destination Jamaica.