BVI Officials on Thursday welcomed the inaugural American Airlines flight. Photo Credit: BVI GOVERNMENT
Amid much fanfare, the long-awaited inaugural American Airlines flight to the British Virgin Islands touched down on June 1 at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island.
Flight AAL3989 from Miami landed just after 1:15 pm on Wednesday in typical aviation tradition, heralded by water salutes from BVI Fire & Rescue’s appliances. Onboard were a mix of vacationers from the U.S. mainland and local officials and dignitaries, including Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley, and Minister of Communications and Works Kye Rhymer.
The aircraft’s 79 passengers were welcomed with a runway motorcade and a bevy of stilt walkers, greeters dressed in cultural wear, a live band, officials from the BVI Tourist Board, and a throng of students and other curious onlookers.
Demand ahead of AA’s first flight into the British territory was so strong that instead of the one flight that was initially scheduled, another BVI-bound plane was dispatched from Miami on the same day, landing some hours later.
Similarly, a second flight has been added to the calendar for subsequent dates in June, indicative of the strong demand for direct connections to the BVI from the U.S. mainland.
