Passengers laud CAL’s direct flights from NY to SVG

Ever since entertainer Shertz “Problem Child” James was a secondary school student, he wished that this country could have an international airport.

He also wished that if we were blessed with one, that he could be one of the first persons to travel on one of the historic flights.

And, on Wednesday, March 14, National Hero’s Day, when Problem Child woke up in his adopted homeland of New York, he had no idea that he was going to be part of history.

On Wednesday, Problem Child, and over 100 other persons, arrived in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) at the Argyle International Airport (AIA), sometime after 1 p.m. on board Caribbean Airline (CAL) flight BBW3.

The flight marked the historic first, regularly scheduled non-stop flight between the John F Kennedy International Airport in New York and the AIA in SVG.

“This is euphoria…very, very happy, very, very pleased, euphoric. This is progress,” Problem Child told SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday, while standing outside the AIA arrival lounge. 

The entertainer said that the option of travelling direct is a great one and persons must think about how far we have come and be happy about the AIA. He said the pricing “is what it is,” but no one is forcing persons to take the option, but having the option is definitely a plus.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves was on hand to greet passengers and crew on Wednesday, before the flight moved on to Trinidad and Tobago (T&T).

“I am on cloud nine and it’s a beautiful feeling,” Gonsalves told SEARCHLIGHT.

“When you see the vision of the leadership in communion with the people, when its actualized, it is wonderful”, said Gonsalves, who added that it is important to note that it took the AIA only a year to get regular flights from places like New York and Canada.

He said that before the end of the year the AIA will have flights from Miami, while the government is working to get the Buccament Bay Resort up and running, which will mean announcements in the not too distant future about flights from London.

Minister of Tourism Cecil McKie, who was on the historic flight from New York, said the scheduled flights are expected to see many people coming to this country.

He said from all indications, the flights coming in for the Easter celebrations are fully booked and there is also a very good response for Vincy Mas, with added flights by CAL on Saturdays.

He noted also that a number of travel agents will soon visit the destination and will be taken on familiarization tours to better understand and appreciate the value of the destination.

McKie also noted that while on the flight, he went to every passenger and had them sign two table mats and those will be placed at the AIA and at the Ministry of Tourism, so that Vincentians can reflect on the first scheduled flight from JFK.

Also on the flight was Jules Williams, owner of WE FM radio station.

“I smiled all the way down. It was great; the price was very reasonable, and it took me back to 35 years ago when I was flying on PAN AM for that same price,” said Williams, who noted that the landing was perfect, and he will use the service again once it is available.

Barbadian Lisa Regisford was also on the flight. She said she lives in New York and it is not her first time coming to St Vincent, so she was very happy that she was able to fly straight from New York.

“It was good. It was reasonable priced for starters and hopefully it will continue to be that way. I was very comfortable.”

South Rivers resident Yvonne Nickie, who also took advantage of the non-stop flight, said that she travels back and forth between New York and SVG in three-month intervals.

“I feel excellent, two thumbs up. I would have been in Barbados sitting on a bench waiting on a flight, but I make my breakfast in New York and now I am making lunch in St Vincent on a Wednesday, the same day,” said Nickie.

Panist Rodney Small was also part of the historic travelling.

“It was good, great. I left about 8:15, after a slight delay and it was really a good feeling flying straight. I would have been in Barbados waiting and I travel regularly, because I’m a performer,” said Small.

Chair of the Carnival Development Corporation Ricky Adams told SEARCHLIGHT that it was exciting coming out of New York and being able to fill out an immigration card that said destination St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“It is an excellent opportunity for you to be able to come home. Sometimes you leave, it takes you a day to get here, a day to go back, so even if you coming on a five-day trip, you only getting three days in SVG; so, I would really encourage persons; it is an awesome opportunity,” Adams said.

Traveller Alicia Grant said that she comes back to her homeland at least once a year, but direct flights will see her coming more often.

“We have been waiting a long time for it and this is a great improvement for the country as far as tourism and import and export; so it is a good addition to our economy….The pricing was perfect, and this is less hassle, especially for people who travel with kids,” said Grant.