A cutback in flights by a major airline serving Bermuda was today branded “a devastating blow” for the island’s tourism industry.

JetBlue, which runs daily flights to the island throughout the year from New York JFK Airport, announced it was cutting Bermuda down to a “summer seasonal market” this November.

It came months after the airline dropped Bermuda from its Boston route this winter.

Susan Jackson, the shadow transport minister, said: “Yet again Bermuda’s tourism has received a devastating blow”.

She said losing the flights would deal “a major inconvenience to many, especially the sick, the elderly, students and businessmen and women who rely on the service to travel to their destinations both in America and internationally”.

The One Bermuda Alliance MP said international business was keeping the island afloat and did not need further disruption.

Ms Jackson said the loss of airlift should “deeply” concern residents and visitors.

She added that the “expensive and ineffective Travel Authorisation Form” introduced early in the Covid-19 pandemic was a procedure that had “outlived its purpose”.

“Air fares to and from Bermuda are very expensive and the Government must work harder to keep regular flights from our gateway cities.

“Regular travel in and out of Bermuda is our highest priority. We cannot afford any further loss.“