A pause on flights to the island from Boston and New York is expected to be limited to the 2022-23 winter season, the Bermuda Tourism Authority said.

Charles Jeffers II, the BTA chief executive officer, said he wanted to clarify plans for the JetBlue services.

The airline’s New York flight is to be downgraded to a summer seasonal market later this year.

Its Boston route was phased out last November as a result of low demand in the off season, according to Lawrence Scott, the transport minister.

But a BTA spokeswoman confirmed that the airline is expected to resume its year-round offering to the gateway cities from April 2023.

Mr Jeffers said: “I know there has been a lot of confusion around the island after JetBlue announced upcoming service reductions.

“I wanted to clarify that, in fact, JetBlue will continue their seasonal flights in 2023 from Boston and New York.

“Our tourism industry counts on the support of our airline partners and we could not be happier to continue our relationship with JetBlue – a boost much needed by the island.”

He added: “We at the Bermuda Tourism Authority are committed to working with partners and stakeholders to boost the industry and bring our tourism numbers back to pre-pandemic levels, and with that the airlift needed to make that happen.”

A BTA spokeswoman explained: “JetBlue confirmed their commitment to serving the Bermuda route with the announcement that the suspension of flights is limited to the 2022-23 winter season.

“Both Boston and New York flight routes will resume in spring-summer 2023, as in prior years.

“The routes will be suspended from November 2022 and are fully expected to return in April 2023.”