Caribbean Airlines Suspends Tortola Route and Barbados
Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has confirmed it will suspend flights to Tortola and San Juan effective January 10, 2026, and plans to close its Barbados base at Grantley Adams International Airport in February 2026 as part of a broader network optimisation and cost-cutting plan. The British Virgin Islands Airports Authority (BVIAA) says it is critically assessing the impact and working with partners to find replacement capacity amid concerns about regional connectivity.
Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has confirmed it will suspend services to Tortola and San Juan, Puerto Rico, effective January 10, 2026, the carrier said in a media release on December 2, 2025. The airline also plans to close its Barbados base at Grantley Adams International Airport in February 2026 as part of a broader “Network Optimisation Programme,” CAL said in the release.
CAL added Tortola to its network on October 14, 2024, initially operating four weekly flights — Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays — from Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS), promising about 540 seats each week. The decision to suspend the route comes after a series of recent service reductions by the airline.
Earlier, on November 2, 2025, CAL discontinued services between Kingston and Montego Bay in Jamaica and Fort Lauderdale. In its December release, the airline said the changes are intended to “enhance schedule reliability, maintain competitiveness and ensure long-term sustainability” after “comprehensive evaluations of route performance and resource deployment.” Independent reporting by Guavaberry also confirmed CAL’s plan to suspend the BVI and San Juan routes from January 10, 2026, and described the move as a negative development for regional connectivity.
Guavaberry noted that the Barbados base closure is part of a cost optimisation strategy by the carrier. In response to the announcement, the British Virgin Islands Airports Authority (BVIAA) said it is critically assessing the impact of CAL’s withdrawal on links to the southern Caribbean.
Menal told our News Centre on December 3, 2025, that the authority acknowledges the airline’s decision and is exploring “various options” to replace lost capacity. Menal said that restoring capacity on the EIS–San Juan route has been a high priority and that the BVIAA is working with stakeholders, including airline partners, the Airlift Committee of the BVI Tourist Board and other local authorities, to identify viable airlift solutions.
He warned that limited aircraft availability among regional carriers and regulatory hurdles complicate the search for new entrants. CAL has told media that customers with confirmed bookings on the affected routes will receive full refunds. For BVI residents and businesses, the suspension will mean fewer direct ticketing options and potential changes to flight schedules and fares.
Tourism operators, hotels and private-sector suppliers that relied on CAL for inbound visitors and cargo transfers may experience short-term disruptions. The territory remains connected by other regional carriers: Winair, InterCaribbean Airways and LIAT 2020 continue to operate routes linking Tortola with neighbouring islands and wider Caribbean hubs.
Passengers can use those services for regional connections or seek onward flights through larger gateways such as San Juan or Antigua while authorities pursue longer-term solutions. Government and tourism officials are expected to continue assessing the economic and operational impact and to explore measures to maintain competitive air access.
Reliable air links are critical for the BVI’s tourism-dependent economy, and stakeholders stress the urgency of coordinated efforts to sustain inbound capacity and keep fares affordable. Travel consumers should monitor communications from Caribbean Airlines and local carriers, check with travel agents, and consider alternative routings early.
Primary source: VINO