CURAÇAO IS THRIVING, JUST ASK THE AIRLINES

Delta Air Lines set to increase flights from once a week to daily service, citing exponential demand to the island, but that’s not all for Curaçao

WILLEMSTAD – FEBRUARY, 2024 – Delta Air Lines has announced that beginning November 23, 2024 the airline will increase its weekly non-stop service to Curaçao International Airport (CUR) from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to a daily flight. The decision is a direct reflection of the rising travel demand for the trending Dutch Caribbean island out of the U.S. market.

The announcement comes just two months after Delta relaunched its weekly Saturday service to the island on December 16, 2023 following a near 14-year hiatus, re-establishing its role as the only carrier with service between Atlanta and Curaçao. The new daily flights will run on the same schedule as the current Saturday flight, departing ATL at 9:45 AM and arriving to CUR at 2:45 PM while the return flight from CUR to ATL will depart at 4:10 PM and land at 7:30 PM. This is the most recent airlift announcement in a series of increased service and added seasonal airlift from major airlines including JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, United Airlines, WestJet and Air Canada.

The island’s tourism renaissance shows no signs of slowing down, having seen a 27% increase in stayover arrivals in January 2024 as compared to January of the previous year. This statistic is in line with the island’s steady growth numbers throughout 2023 in what was a record-breaking year as the Curaçao Tourist Board reported exceptional increases in visitors, welcoming a staggering 582,409 from the global market and over 141,175 from the U.S. market, up 19% and 51% respectively over the year prior. Looking ahead, 2024 forecasts aim even higher, with current objectives to reach upwards of 650,000 global and 198,000 U.S. stayover arrivals. The growth of the island is largely due to hospitality partners continuing to develop their world-class infrastructure, entering the new year with the expansion of Mangrove Beach Corendon with The Rif as well as the grand opening of Courtyard by Marriott, slated for later in the year. Additionally, Zoëtry Curaçao Resort & Spa is set to unveil their 52 beachfront Kabina Suites, complimented by a new infinity pool and Italian specialty restaurant, along with Avila Beach Hotel’s lobby refresh and 64-room renovation.

“We are thrilled to see the burgeoning confidence and trust from our airline partners as a result of our continuing efforts to showcase the beautiful island we call home,” says Hugo Clarinda, Curaçao’s deputy director of tourism. “As travelers find themselves with more ways than ever to get to Curaçao, we will continue to nurture the cultural authenticity, breathtaking beauty, and unique hotel product that is an undeniable force behind the island’s allure.”