The U.S. Virgin Islands delegation, led by Commissioner Nominee Jennifer Matarangas-King of the Tourism Department, highlighted the territory’s expanding air service and strategic growth during Routes World in Hong Kong, a press release announced.
Throughout the weeklong event, the delegation held talks with major airlines including Delta, JetBlue, Porter and Volaris, as well as Scandinavian Airlines and the Denver International Airport Authority, with discussions centered on boosting connectivity — particularly for St. Croix — and strengthening existing routes, according to the press release.
Matarangas-King said the positive feedback reinforced the territory’s position as a growing force in the aviation sector. “The Department of Tourism’s participation at Routes World 2025 showcased not only the territory’s strategic prowess, but also its inherent growth potential,” she said. “Airline and industry partners from across the globe are seeing the U.S. Virgin Islands as a preeminent destination, drawn by its rich cultural heritage, pristine natural beauty, and robust infrastructure that supports both leisure and business travel.”
Former Commissioner Joseph Boschulte, who joined a keynote panel alongside representatives from Orlando Airport and Barcelona Tourism, emphasized the USVI’s record-breaking arrivals and reduced seasonality. “The growth in arrivals into both St. Croix and St. Thomas continues to trend upward with the retention of more year-round service,” Boschulte said. “Sustained support from our airline partners combined with continued strategic marketing efforts emphasize the promising outlook for tourism in the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
That growth is expected to accelerate during the winter 2025–26 season. St. Croix is projected to see a 16% increase in seats from the continental U.S., with American Airlines leading a 29% jump, including a new Saturday service from Chicago beginning Dec. 6. JetBlue will add 52% more seats into the market, the press release stated.
St. Thomas will also post record gains with a nine percent year-over-year increase in overall capacity, highlighted by Delta’s 33% boost into the market, American’s 15% increase, and United’s 14% rise. New service will include Southwest flights to Baltimore and Orlando, Delta service to Boston, Contour to Dominica, and Cape Air to St. Barth, the release stated.
The additional service represents the territory’s strongest winter airlift to date, with new gateways from Boston, Chicago, Miami, Charlotte and Washington, D.C. As the season approaches, the Department of Tourism said it remains committed to sustaining momentum and deepening partnerships that keep the U.S. Virgin Islands among the Caribbean’s fastest-growing destinations for air service, it stated.
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