Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has welcomed the arrival of charter flight RER 9811, which touched down from Quito, Ecuador, at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay on Friday, July 18.

Operated by Ecuadorian airline AeroRegional, this flight marks the beginning of an ambitious ten-flight charter programme that will bring over 1,000 Ecuadorian visitors to Jamaica over the coming period.

“This initiative underscores Jamaica’s commitment to diversifying its source markets and strengthening ties within the Latin American region. The success of this charter programme could pave the way for expanded air connectivity between Jamaica and Ecuador, potentially leading to scheduled service in the future,” said Bartlett.

The charter program represents a revival of direct air service between the two countries, following previous successful operations conducted between 2008 and 2013. Travel partner Maxitravel, which operated those earlier charter programmes, has developed a comprehensive promotional campaign across both trade and consumer channels to ensure the success of this renewed operation.

The comprehensive travel packages include four-night stays specifically designed to appeal to Ecuador’s growing family and leisure travel segments. This initiative represents a significant milestone in Jamaica’s tourism strategy, reaffirming the island’s commitment to the Ecuadorian market and building upon a foundation of successful collaborations.

“Reactivating direct flights from Ecuador is a strategic move that supports our broader airlift goals in Latin America, making Jamaica more accessible to an emerging market with significant growth potential,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism at the Jamaica Tourist Board.

The influx of Ecuadorian visitors is expected to contribute meaningfully to Jamaica’s tourism economy, providing vital support to hotels, restaurants, attractions, and local businesses across the island.

The Jamaica Tourist Board continues to work actively with airline partners and tour operators across Latin America to enhance airlift capacity and make the destination more accessible to visitors from emerging markets throughout the region.