The speaker went on to say ‘we think BWIA is fundamentally important to the development of our industry, not only from the standpoint of what it does for tourism, but also because of the hub status BWIA has helped create for Barbados and the rest of the Eastern Caribbean’

‘BWIA made about 20 landings in Barbados on a daily basis’.

‘In light of this, the Barbadian Government would continue to be at the forefront in supporting the airline’s efforts in restructuring and revitalising its operations’.

Less than 17 months later these direct quotes*, which were recorded at the Caribbean Hotel Association annual (CHIC) Conference held at Wyndham’s El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo, Puerto Rico could well come back to haunt the gentleman that uttered them, Barbados Minister of Tourism, Noel Lynch.

Yet today in a Caribbean Broadcast Corporation news item, despite the quoted figure of 200,000 passengers that the airline annually brought to our shores the latest statement is the loss of ‘BWIA will not affect Barbados’.

Adrian Loveridge
Barbados

*Source: The Trinidad Guardian Sunday 20th June 2004