Guadeloupe celebrates new Air Canada flight from Toronto
The Guadeloupe Islands Tourism Board (GITB), alongside SAGPC SA, concessionaire of Guadeloupe Maryse Condé Airport, welcomed the inaugural flight of the new Toronto (YYZ) – Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP) direct service, operated by Air Canada from Toronto Pearson International Airport recently. The seasonal route will operate every Saturday until April 11, 2026.
The opening of this new service is part of Guadeloupe Island’s strategy to diversify its source markets, with Canada identified as a priority market. The objective is to strengthen the destination’s appeal to English speaking visitors while supporting tourism related spending and ensuring a balanced and sustainable economic impact for local stakeholders.
Operated by a Boeing 737 – 800 MAX with a capacity of 166 seats, the aircraft was fully booked for its inaugural flight, reflecting the growing interest of Canadian travelers in the destination.
To support the launch, the GITB carried out a series of promotional actions in Ontario throughout 2025, including television campaigns, street marketing initiatives, digital campaigns, press and influencer visits, and promotional tours with travel agents.
Alain Bièvre, Chairman of the Management Board of SAGPC SA, said: “We were delighted to welcome the inaugural flight of this new Toronto service operated by Air Canada, with whom we are celebrating 50 years of uninterrupted connectivity between our two regions.”
Bièvre continued: “The 2025 – 2026 winter season will also mark the opening of a new Canadian route from Québec City, operated by Air Transat. North America remains a priority driver of our growth and plays a central role in the sustainable development of our activities.”
Valérie Samuel – Cesarus, President of the GITB, noted that: “This route is the result of two years of close collaboration with Guadeloupe Maryse Condé Airport and Air Canada. The opening of Toronto, Canada’s largest airport hub, represents a strategic gateway, particularly for connections with the United States, multiplying access points and improving the destination’s accessibility.”
And Rodrigue Solitude, Director General of the GITB, said: “The opening of this route is a first milestone. The priority for the GITB will now be to strengthen promotional efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of this service and extend its seasonality.”
With the launch of the Toronto – Pointe-à-Pitre flight, visitors can experience a wide range of cultural events and activities across the Guadeloupe Islands. From Jan. 3 to Feb. 18, 2026, the Carnival of the Islands of Guadeloupe will animate the archipelago, with major events taking place across Grande-Terre, Basse-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Désirade, and Les Saintes, including the official carnival opening in Baie-Mahault, the King Parade, children’s parades, and the traditional celebrations of Shrove Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Ash Wednesday.
Until March 29, the Mémorial ACTe Museum is hosting a major exhibition dedicated to Guillaume Guillon Lethière, the Guadeloupean painter born into slavery in Sainte-Anne. Bringing together nearly 100 works from international collections, the exhibition follows presentations at the Clark Art Institute in the United States and the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Visitors will be able to discover the world of organic agricultural rum while visiting the Bologne Distillery, the first distillery to produce organic rum, located at the foot of La Soufrière volcano, and learn everything there is to know about the process – from harvesting and distilling sugar cane to the preparation of the rums sold in stores. Nature-based experiences continue to expand notably with Nautic Blue, offering eco-friendly marine activities and electric karting providing a fun and sustainable way to explore the mangrove. https://www.nbcaraibes.com
