Caribbean Net News

Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Virgin Atlantic inaugural London flight touches down in The Bahamas

by Eric Rose

Tuesday, July 5, 2005

NASSAU, The Bahamas. Bahamas Minister of Tourism, Obie Wilchcombe, and Minister of Transport and Aviation, Glenys Hanna-Martian, along with various government and travel sector representatives greeted Virgin Atlantic's inaugural direct Nassau-London flight, as it touched down last Tuesday, June 28, on the newly completed runway 1432 at Nassau International Airport (NIA).

"What you are seeing today is the work of a team," Minister Wilchcombe said. "What you are seeing is what we have been trying to build in our country; a unique vacation destination, where people could come to our nation and feel what we feel. How proud we are of all we have accomplished in a short period of time."

The landing of the Boeing 747-400, which has more than 450 seats, marked the launch of services between London's Gatwick Airport and NIA. Virgin Atlantic will operate a weekly service from July 4.

According to Virgin Atlantic, the new Bahamas route will bring the airline's total number of destinations to 26 and will form a part of a 20 per cent increase in capacity to their Caribbean routes. Nassau will join Antigua , St. Lucia , Barbados , Grenada , Tobago and Cuba as the airline's Caribbean destinations. Also, Virgin Atlantic said the new route means a projected annual benefit to The Bahamas of $35 million in trade and tourism.

Mr. Wilchcombe also commended Minister Hanna-Martin and her Ministry, Director of Public Works Ms. Melanie Roach, and Tourism Deputy Director Tommy Thompson for their roles in assisting Virgin Atlantic in making The Bahamas one of their destinations.

'Today, I am so very proud of the fact that we have people like Tommy Thompson' Tommy has done a wonderful job and this is a good way for us to celebrate what you have done for The Bahamas,' he said.

Minister Hanna-Martin congratulated Virgin Atlantic on their launch and thanked the Ministries of Tourism and Works and all those involved with bringing the event to fruition.

She also pointed out that the runway used for their arrival was opened only that day, as it was closed from December, 2004. Work on the runway began in July, 2004. The runway is 11,400 feet or more than two miles in length.

"It marks a wonderful day for The Bahamas, but, in particular, it marks the first phase of our development for the Nassau International Airport," Minister Hanna-Martin said. "We are progressing each day to the second phase, which involves the terminal redevelopment and new management of the Nassau International Airport."

After the plane taxied to a complete stop, chairman of Virgin Atlantic, Sir Richard Branson, waved the Bahamian flag from its top hatch, as the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band played. He later ventured onto the wing of the plane with Miss Bahamas Universe Denia Nixon. Sir Richard also had the opportunity to 'conduct' the Police Band and dance with a Junkanoo group.

Sir Richard said another famous 'Sir' and resident of The Bahamas was most enthusiastic in encouraging him to establish a service with The Bahamas.

"It was actually, believe it or not, Sean Connery who, over the last five or six years, has consistently been ringing me up and sending me notes and saying, 'When are you going to come to The Bahamas?'" Sir Richard said.

He said he was "delighted to have answered his call" and those of many other Bahamians who had said to him that they would like to have competition in that destination market.

"Today, we have put our toe in the water and we plan to be here for many years to come and, hopefully, to put on many more routes over the years," Sir Richard said.

Minister Wilchcombe said: "I am hoping that during your stay here, and I am sure that this will not be the only visit you make and you would be back many, many more times, that you would begin to appreciate the fact that we celebrate the purity and the innocence of all the gifts that God has given us -- the sun, the sand, the sea -- and we are so proud of the people of this nation, which makes The Bahamas the unique destination and place that it is."

Previous Page Print This Page.