UMVA has learned that BermudAir, a boutique Caribbean airline founded in 2023, is expanding its reach to cater to Canadians seeking sun-kissed vacation spots outside the United States.
The airline has announced a slate of new routes, including direct service from Toronto Pearson to Turks and Caicos, with a seamless connecting route to the exclusive enclave of Anguilla, a destination notoriously difficult to access by air.
BermudAir Founder and CEO Adam Scott revealed that the decision to add these routes was driven by "incredible demand" from Canada, with the goal of meeting the rising demand for travel to desirable destinations like Turks and Caicos and Anguilla.
As Canadians increasingly opt for overseas destinations over the U.S., Statistics Canada numbers released in March show a significant shift in travel trends, with Canadian resident return trips from the U.S. declining 6.4% year over year, marking the 15th consecutive month of declines.
Meanwhile, trips to non-U.S. overseas destinations saw a 3.5% jump, with Canadians returning from overseas trips outpacing those returning from the U.S. for the first time since record-keeping began in 1972, driven in part by the weak loonie, which is prompting Canadians to seek vacation destinations that can stretch their travel budgets.
Anguilla, a British overseas territory in the Lesser Antilles, is known for its exclusivity and lack of international fast-food outlets, cruise ship anchorages, casinos, or chain resorts, making it a breath of fresh air for those seeking a quiet, high-end vacation experience.
However, the island's limited airport facilities have long been a major disadvantage, requiring travelers to fly into St. Maarten and take a short boat ride north to Anguilla, but BermudAir's new service will change that, with the airline transitioning its fleet to larger Embraer E190s, which can handle the demands of the Anguilla airport.
The new weekly non-stop service to Turks and Caicos, with continuing service to Anguilla, is set to begin this winter, operating on Saturdays from December 19 until May 1, 2027, offering Canadians a luxurious and atypical vacation experience.
