KINGSTON, Jamaica— Spirit Airlines has announced direct flights from the Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, to Montego Bay, Jamaica, starting December 15, 2022.

The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Bradley International Airport Sheraton Hotel on Thursday, September 1, and involved the State Representative, Bobby Gibson, Connecticut Governor, Ned Lamont; Spirit, and the Connecticut Airport Authority.

Spirit stated that it aims to provide service year round four times per week and is the first airline to offer this non-stop service to Jamaica.

“Today’s announcement with Spirit Airlines not only makes it easier for our state’s residents to directly travel to Jamaica, but it also strengthens Bradley’s reputation as one of the best and most convenient airports available. Bradley is a key economic driver for Connecticut, and the more airlines and destinations that we can add from the airport, the more attractive our state becomes to companies that are seeking to grow their own operations here. I am excited that we are partnering with Spirit Airlines to make direct travel between Connecticut and Jamaica a reality, and I look forward to the airline’s continued growth in our state,” said Connecticut Governor, Ned Lamont, during the press event.

Hartford, Connecticut maintains the third largest population of Jamaicans in the United States behind Miami and New York and the Caribbean population is the largest immigrant population in the state. While the effort to establish direct flights between Connecticut and Jamaica has been ongoing for a number of years, its timing is quite significant as both communities begin to emerge from the COVID-19 post pandemic crisis, a release stated.