JAMAICA | Caribbean Airlines Soars Back to Montego Bay with Daily Fort Lauderdale Service

Caribbean Airlines, after an absence of nearly 5 years, has triumphantly returned to Montego Bay, launching daily flight service to Fort Lauderdale that promises to reconnect thousands of Jamaican expatriates with their island home.

The milestone was celebrated last Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Island SPACE Museum in Broward County, Florida, marking a significant expansion of the airline's Jamaican operations.

The inaugural flight, which took off on March 11, represents far more than just a new travel route. For the over 300,000 Jamaicans living in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas, these flights create a vital lifeline to family, friends, and cultural roots. 

Caribbean Airlines CEO Garvin Medera emphasized this connection, noting, "At Caribbean Airlines, home is where the heart is. We understand the deep connections between Jamaica and its Diaspora, and this daily service is another way we are making it easier for our customers to get home."

This service revival wasn't a decision made in boardrooms alone but came directly from passenger feedback, highlighting the airline's commitment to responsive customer service. 

The expansion doesn't stop at Montego Bay – Caribbean Airlines has simultaneously increased its Kingston-Fort Lauderdale service from three weekly flights to daily departures. Combined, these routes will offer an impressive 1,323 seats weekly between Florida and Jamaica.

The launch garnered enthusiastic support from key stakeholders including the Jamaica Tourist Board, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, business leaders, and Diaspora representatives. 

Their presence at the inaugural events underscored the collective investment in ensuring the route's success and supporting Caribbean Airlines' continued growth.

Beyond mere transportation, the airline has demonstrated its commitment to Jamaican culture as the presenting sponsor of Reggae Sumfest for six consecutive years. Caribbean Airlines also sponsors ISSA Champs, showcasing Jamaica's remarkable athletic talent and youth development programs. 

As part of the route launch celebrations, the airline's senior management team met with Diaspora members in Fort Lauderdale, reinforcing community ties and signaling long-term investment in the market.

This Montego Bay service forms a key component of Caribbean Airlines' broader regional expansion strategy. Looking toward 2025, the company remains focused on building upon 2024's successes with sustainable growth and enhanced service options. "Caribbean Airlines is part of the Caribbean story," Medera affirmed.

"We are here for the long haul, committed to the people of the Caribbean, Jamaica and the Diaspora, and dedicated to making travel more accessible and enjoyable for everyone we serve."

Caribbean Airlines discontinued its non-stop service between Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) and Fort Lauderdale, Florida (FLL) in early 2019. The airline announced that it would terminate the MBJ–FLL route as of January 2019, with the last flight operating on January 7, 2019​

Effective January 8, 2019, Caribbean Airlines ceased all Montego Bay–Fort Lauderdale flights, consolidating its South Florida service through Kingston instead​.

This meant that after the first week of January 2019, passengers could no longer fly Caribbean Airlines directly between Montego Bay and Fort Lauderdale, as the route was officially cancelled from that date.

In a media release, Caribbean Airlines explained that “given the evolving market realities and to improve the service offerings to its valued customers,” it would consolidate Fort Lauderdale service to its Kingston hub and discontinue the Montego Bay route.

After Caribbean Airlines stopped flying directly from Montego Bay to Fort Lauderdale, several airlines stepped in to service this route. The airlines operating direct flights from Montego Bay to Fort Lauderdale include Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and JetBlue.

These carriers offer a variety of flight options throughout the week, with Spirit Airlines typically offering the most economical fares.

Southwest Airlines operates about 32 weekly flights with a nonstop service on Saturdays​, while Spirit Airlines provides a high frequency of 45 weekly flights​, JetBlue also maintains a robust schedule for this route, ensuring multiple choices for travelers.

Caribbean Airlines finalized its acquisition of Air Jamaica on May 1, 2010, creating a stronger regional airline presence. The Jamaican government maintained a 16% stake in Caribbean Airlines, preserving national interests in the airline's operations.

The integration transferred Air Jamaica's routes and fleet to Caribbean Airlines, expanding its regional reach and operational efficiency. Caribbean Airlines retained the right to use the Air Jamaica brand, which continued as a separate identity to leverage its established market recognition and customer loyalty.

This strategic merger aimed to enhance service efficiency and financial stability while creating a more comprehensive network for Caribbean travelers. The transition prioritized workforce continuity, with Caribbean Airlines offering permanent positions to many former Air Jamaica employees.

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