Caribbean Airlines faces substantial challenges in achieving success on long-haul flights to London

Caribbean Airlines faces an uphill climb now that is has solidified plans to re-enter the trans-Atlantic long-haul market in June from its Port of Spain, Trinidad hub to London Gatwick International airport. Service from the Caribbean to Europe by airlines based in the islands has traditionally underperformed, as the complexity of operating a small fleet of widebody aircraft helped to stifle profitability. But Caribbean, now the largest carrier in the region, seems convinced it is necessary to give the trans-Atlantic market a second try.

Both Caribbean and Air Jamaica, which was acquired by Caribbean in 2010, have tried in the past to sustain long-haul service to the UK. Caribbean's predecessor BWIA sold its London Heathrow slots to British Airways (BA) and started codesharing with BA in 2007 on flights from London to Port of Spain. Air Jamaica sold its London Heathrow slots to Virgin Atlantic in 2007 and also began codesharing on the UK-based carrier's flights from Gatwick to Kingston and Montego Bay.