State legislators in Connecticut discussing bill to effect flights from Bradley International Airport to Jamaica

Another US gateway is being opened up to Jamaica, as state legislators in Connecticut are pushing to have direct flights from Bradley International Airport to Jamaica.

This will result in Jamaica further penetrating major American gateways providing visitors coming through Connecticut with direct flights to the island. State legislators in Connecticut have sponsored a bill to effect flights from Bradley International to Jamaica.

The bill is currently being discussed in the House of Representatives this legislative session. Proponents of the bill say it would be economically beneficial for both Connecticut and Jamaica, noting that it would help out travelers who would not need to waste time with a connecting flight or drive to John F. Kennedy or Logan airports.

In articulating some of the benefits to the state, State Representative Bobby Gibson said Connecticut has one of the largest populations of Jamaicans in the United States.

According to Gibson, due to not being able to have a direct flight and having people go through that ordeal, “this is something that has to be done, financially, recreationally and a thing of equity for our people”.

Senior citizens to benefit tremendously

He pointed to the benefits, especially for senior citizens, who have disabilities, referring the ease this would bring to their travel experience. The bill is also being supported by the Caribbean Trade Council.

Bradley International Airport is a public international airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Owned and operated by the Connecticut Airport Authority, it is the second-largest airport in New England.

The airport is Connecticut’s busiest commercial airport and the second-busiest airport in New England after Boston’s Logan International Airport with over 6.75 million passengers in 2019. The four largest carriers at Bradley International Airport are Southwest, Delta, JetBlue and American.

In 2019, Bradley was the 55th-busiest commercial airport in the United States, by passengers enplaned. The Federal Aviation Administration National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017–2021 categorised it as a medium-hub primary commercial service facility.