Thomas Cook Airlines launches Manchester-Caribbean flights

DIRECT flights between the North West and the sunshine Caribbean destinations of St Lucia and Antigua are being launched later this year.

In response to BA’s cessation of its Manchester-Gatwick route this year, Thomas Cook Airlines will start a weekly service from Manchester to St Lucia and Barbados in November and to Antigua in December.

The new St Lucia and Antigua routes are the only direct flights to these destination outside London. Virgin already operates a direct Manchester-Barbados services and previously operated a St Lucia flight.

The Manchester-St Lucia-Barbados flight will operate on a specifically configured Airbus A330 aircraft. Flights will depart late morning from Manchester, allowing travellers to benefit from a wide range of connections from regional airports across the UK.    
 
Christoph Debus, Thomas Cook Group’s head of air travel, said “It’s fantastic news that we’re able to offer UK travellers seat-only and holidays from Manchester to some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, initially for the coming winter season.
 
“With the recent reduction in connections from Manchester to Gatwick limiting the travel options for those from the Midlands, the North and Scotland to connect with Caribbean flights from London, we’re pleased to be able to offer more flexibility and choice for our customers, competing with the very best scheduled and charter carriers.”         
 
Ken O’Toole, chief commercial officer at Manchester Airport Group, added, “Expanding the airports long haul network is a strategic priority for Manchester Airport and Thomas Cook’s introduction of new flights this winter to St Lucia and Antigua, as well as increasing passenger choice to Barbados, will further boost the airport’s unrivalled route network of over 200 worldwide destinations.  

“The announcement closely follows the launch of the airport’s ‘Fly Manchester’ campaign, to win back the four million passenger journeys that are lost to London airports every year, and firmly reinforces the airport’s position as the global gateway to and from Northern England.”

Flight-only prices start at £464 return per person.