ROAD TOWN, BVI: Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism in the British Virgin Islands, Dr. Orlando Smith, describes as great news American Eagle’s announcement this week to introduce a new service between the BVI and Antigua starting June 1.

British Virgin Islands Chief Minister, Dr Orlando Smith

This announcement follows two meetings the Chief Minister held with Ed Criner, President of American Eagle in February and April to lobby for new connecting services between Antigua, St Maarten and the BVI.

The Chief Minister said that this new service is a boost to the BVI’s tourism industry and the economy, and it now provides additional seats into the Territory for passengers arriving from London to Antigua.

“This new service will also provide much needed inter-island connections for many travellers within the Caribbean region,” the Chief Minister added.

The Chief Minister said that most of the BVI’s European visitors arrive on international flights that terminate in either Antigua or St Maarten.

“Current connecting flights from those destinations are not always adequate,” the Chief Minister added.

Government was concerned about travellers’’ ease of access to reliable connecting flights into the Territory especially following the recent merger of Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) and Caribbean Star Airline.

The new service will operate each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, using a 64-seat Super ATR aircraft, departing Beef Island at 2:30 p.m. and arriving in Antigua at 3:25 p.m. The flight will depart Antigua at 4:00 p.m. and arrive at Beef Island at 4:55 pm.

“The new service further demonstrates our commitment to develop the market and our continued support of the islands and its people,” Criner said.

“We have worked closely with both Chief Minister Dr Orlando D. Smith of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, as well as Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda. We appreciate their commitment to continue to grow their economies,” said Pedro Fábregas, Vice President of Finance and Planning.

The BVI government says it continues to look for new ways to strengthen the tourism industry, one of the Territory’s main economic pillars.