Jamaica is set to receive more than 160,000 airline seats from the United Kingdom and continental Europe during the Summer 2026 travel season, reflecting increased airlift to the Caribbean destination.

According to tourism officials, three UK carriers — British Airways, TUI and Virgin Atlantic — will provide a combined 136,640 seats between the United Kingdom and Jamaica for the summer period, an increase from 125,658 seats in Summer 2025.

British Airways will operate four weekly flights from London Gatwick to Kingston and from London Heathrow to Montego Bay. TUI will run three weekly flights from London Gatwick to Montego Bay, along with two weekly services each from Manchester and Birmingham.

TUI will provide the largest share of UK seats with 63,480, followed by British Airways with 41,168 and Virgin Atlantic with 31,992.

Additional airlift will come from continental Europe, where five airlines will operate 105 direct flights to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay between May and October 2026. These flights will offer 33,991 seats, a 45.9 per cent increase from the 23,290 seats available during Summer 2025.

Flights will originate from four European gateways: Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Milan Malpensa and Lisbon.

TUI Fly Netherlands will operate 26 flights from Amsterdam, while German carrier Condor will offer two weekly services from Frankfurt, providing more than 11,000 seats.

Italian airline Neos will add 8,175 seats through 25 flights, while W2Fly will operate a weekly Wednesday service from Lisbon with 18 flights carrying 6,336 seats.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said the increase reflects confidence in Jamaica as a long-haul travel destination.

“This level of airlift from the UK and Continental Europe is a powerful statement about Jamaica’s standing as a premier long-haul destination. It is the result of years of deliberate relationship-building with airline partners, investment in our airports, and the relentless promotion of Jamaica as an experience unlike any other,” Bartlett said.

Director of Tourism Donovan White said the Jamaica Tourist Board worked with airline partners to align flight schedules with demand from European travellers.

“We are encouraged by the commitment our airline partners are making to Jamaica this summer. It reflects a deep belief in Jamaica as a destination that delivers. We look forward to welcoming European visitors to the island in record numbers,” White said.