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Delta Air Lines has resumed its service to Barbados after a seven-year hiatus.

The airline began its non-stop daily service from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) from Saturday, November 23. Flight DL1985, a Boeing 737 aircraft, captained by Pilot Brent KnoBlach and First Officer Edmund Chianda landed at 3:54 p.m., carrying 160 passengers.

Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, who welcomed the crew and passengers, noted that the return of Delta Air Lines is a “significant development” in the Ministry’s airlift strategy efforts.

He said by the end of 2024, Barbados would count approximately 11 new and reinstated gateways, which reinforces the commercial viability of the island as a tourism attraction.

“Our partnership with Delta Air Lines is vital to expanding gateways across the U.S. and enhancing connectivity to Barbados…. By looking at this resumption of service by Delta Air Lines, this undeniably speaks to the level of confidence that the airline industry has placed in Barbados…. The airline already has 25,000 bookings, and they are anticipating 50,000 to 70,000 within a year,” Minister Gooding-Edghill disclosed.

The Tourism Minister reported that the U.S. continues to be one of Barbados’ leading source markets and shared that up until the end of September 2024, the USA market had eclipsed the United Kingdom’s and is now the leading source market for destination Barbados.

“With Delta, we are sure to continue to see the trend towards increased passenger numbers from the US market to Barbados … and we are confident that with today’s…flight, we will see incremental growth both in the short and long term,” Mr. Gooding-Edghill said.

The Minister said he is “very proud of the Barbados team” for their work in building up the island’s airlift capacity and thanked all those involved in the process.

In addition to Delta’s service out of Atlanta, from December 21, the airline will offer a Saturday-only flight out of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and will be extending its service through to the summer of 2025.

Delta’s Field Director Caribbean Airport Customer Service, Jennifer Rabun, indicated that the airline was happy to be returning its service to the “beautiful island of Barbados”.

She said the airline is continuously working to expand its reach and make it easier for its customers to explore the world and this service was one such way.

“Today marks not just the launch of a new route but also a testament to Delta’s dedication to serving our customers and connecting communities…. This new service opens up Barbados to customers from over 100 U.S. cities.… This means that our network is not only connecting Atlanta to Barbados, but it’s also linking countless communities across the United States to this sun-soaked destination,” Ms. Rabun emphasised.

She added: “We’re dedicated to ensuring that the future of travel is connected, personalised, and enjoyable. Our people’s genuine and enduring motivation is to make every customer feel welcomed and respected across every point of their journey with us.”

Delta Air Lines has resumed its service to Barbados after a seven-year hiatus.

He said by the end of 2024, Barbados would count approximately 11 new and reinstated gateways, which reinforces the commercial viability of the island as a tourism attraction.

The Minister said he is “very proud of the Barbados team” for their work in building up the island’s airlift capacity and thanked all those involved in the process.

Delta’s Field Director Caribbean Airport Customer Service, Jennifer Rabun, indicated that the airline was happy to be returning its service to the “beautiful island of Barbados”.

She said the airline is continuously working to expand its reach and make it easier for its customers to explore the world and this service was one such way.

Caption: Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill (centre) poses for a photograph with Delta Airlines First Officer, Edmund Chianda (left) and Pilot Brent KnoBlach (right), who flew Delta Air Lines Flight DL1985 from Atlanta to Barbados on Saturday, November 23

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SISTER RELATIONSHIP CONTINUES BETWEEN CHINA & BARBADOS

Hunan and Bridgetown forged a sister relationship in 2023. China and Barbados have also deepened cooperation in agriculture, especially rice and vegetable cultivation.

Central #China‘s Hunan Province, located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, boasts a rich history and diverse natural landscapes. With renowned destinations like Zhangjaijie National Forest Park and Fenghuang Ancient Town, Hunan is a popular choice for international tourists exploring China.

Don’t forget to try some authentic Xiang cuisine, famous for its hot and spicy flavors and fresh aroma!

Bridgetown, capital city of #Barbados, serves as the country’s political, economic and cultural center. The Port of Bridgetown is an important seaport for international trade in the region. Tourism, offshore finance and light manufacturing are some major industries there, while flying fish is a beloved local delicacy and a symbol of Barbadian cuisine.

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Streamlined Process For Vehicle Registration In Barbados

The Barbados Revenue Authority (the Authority), the Barbados Licensing Authority, general insurance companies, and the Barbados Police Service have collaborated to enhance the vehicle registration system for private vehicles.

This initiative represents a significant step toward improving efficiency, convenience, and compliance for vehicle owners and law enforcement.

Under the new system, owners of private vehicles seeking to renew their vehicle registrations will no longer need to visit the Authority’s payment centres to update and receive the registration disc. Instead, private vehicle registrations will now be completed online, streamlining the process for thousands of motorists across Barbados. Vehicle owners are encouraged to register and familiarise themselves with the digital platform, accessible at https://portal.bra.gov.bb.

Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Ryan Straughn, noted: “This collaborative effort represents a major step in modernising the way we serve Barbadians. By digitising this aspect of the private vehicle registration process, we are not only improving convenience for the public but also strengthening the integrity of our registration and insurance systems while working to reduce the lines in our offices.”

When vehicle owners renew their insurance, the policy details from the general insurance companies will be used to update the owner’s vehicle registration records in the licensing system. This initiative ensures that vehicle registration records within the licensing system are current and compliant with the requirements of Section 5(4) of the Road Traffic Act, which mandates annual vehicle registration.

By integrating insurance compliance into the registration process, vehicle owners will be able to download their Digital Vehicle Registration Card upon successful upload of their insurance details.

Carolyn Williams-Gayle, Senior Manager, Headquarters Services at the Authority highlighted that the information discrepancies will prevent the generation of a Vehicle Registration Card.

“As with any digital transformation, accuracy of records is essential. During the testing of the system, we identified four issues which will prevent the registration card from being generated. Issues may arise due to data entry errors such as incorrect license plate, chassis, engine or VIN numbers; missing information; mismatched records or lapsed insurance policies.

“To assist vehicle owners, we designed the system to provide real-time error notifications when an issue is detected. These messages will specify the nature of the discrepancy and direct users to the appropriate avenue for the issue to be rectified,” she shared.

“Currently, 75 per cent of the general insurance companies which serve Barbados have uploaded their data to facilitate the generation of the Vehicle Registration Card and we thank the insurance companies for their participation in this process. However, where insurance details have not been uploaded, the registrant will still need to visit their insurance company and the Authority’s offices in person to access their Vehicle Registration Card.”

The Authority’s Contact Centre is available at 429-ETAX (3829) to answer any questions that citizens may have. As part of the ongoing digital transformation, the team expanded the scope of the project to allow the Barbados Police Service to digitally verify the validity of vehicle registrations. The adoption of these digital solutions seeks to make the roads safer and compliance easier for all citizens. (PR/GIS)

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Palestinian Ambassador Calls on Minister of Agriculture

Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Dr. Linda Sobeh-Ali, recently paid a visit to Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Indar Weir, at the Ministry’s headquarters, Graeme Hall, Christ Church.

In attendance were Permanent Secretary Terry Bascombe; Chief Agricultural Officer, Michael James; and Deputy Chief Agricultural Officer Barney Callender.

The meeting focused on sustainable agricultural practices, food security, and the potential for international collaboration to bolster Barbados’ farming sector.

Both the Ambassador and local representatives underscored the importance of support for sustainable agriculture. They discussed the growing role of advanced technologies – like hydroponics and greenhouses – to overcome the island’s limited soil and resource challenges. Adapting these innovations to Barbados’ specific environment was highlighted as essential.

Other areas touched on include poultry production and the link between food availability and national security.

Ambassador Sobeh-Ali expressed concerns about potential threats to the poultry supply chain, emphasising the need to strengthen resilience through modern farming methods and government-backed initiatives.