CAL launches non-stop flights from JFK to AIA

Sales Executive for Caribbean Airlines (CAL) for the Eastern Caribbean (EC) Veena Rattan-King says St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is an important partner for CAL.

Last Monday at the Beachcombers Hotel in Villa, CAL officially launched its non-stop service between the John F Kennedy International Airport in New York and the Argyle International Airport (AIA).

“At Caribbean Airlines we are in the business of connecting people and this service between John F Kennedy International Airport in New York and Argyle International Airport (AIA) will provide more travel options between the Eastern Caribbean and North America,” said Rattan-King.

She said the service will serve as an international gateway to St Vincent and the beautiful Grenadine islands.

“Our mission, therefore, is to connect the region more closely and as we realize this ambition, our valued customers can look forward to a schedule that allows for easy and convenient travel to facilitate their needs,” said the sales executive.

The service, which begins on Wednesday, March 14, National Heroes’ Day, will feature weekly non-stop flights every Wednesday.

“We say ‘Hello Caribbean’ to our North American customers and the diaspora, who I am sure will be looking forward to experiencing the warmth of the islands as soon as they step on board, and some rain when they get here,” said Rattan-King.

She added, “this non-stop service will operate as BW552 and BW553 starting on a significant date on the calendar, National Heroes’ Day, a time of celebration for all citizens of St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

Rattan-King said that CAL is looking forward to boosting trade and tourism and providing options for the business community who are regular exporters to the United States (US).

“We encourage everyone to make their bookings with their favourite travel agents or you may visit our website, caribbean-airlines.com; you may call our call centre or visit our ticket office at the airport,” noted Rattan-King.  

Chief executive officer of the SVG Tourism Authority Glen Beache, speaking at the cocktail event, said hopefully, within the next two weeks, CAL will also make available flights between July and the end of August 2018, which will take place on Saturdays.

“So, from the beginning of July to the end of August you will have Wednesdays and Saturdays with non-stop direct flights.”

He also revealed that persons who cannot travel on those days may take CAL’s ATR, which comes from Trinidad to SVG and back.

“They have done it in such a way, if you take that flight, I think the longest you have on the ground in Trinidad on the way to New York is two hours. You fill out no form, you go through security and go upstairs at Piarco and it’s right on to the 737 to New York,” said Beache, adding, “if you can’t take the non-stop direct flight, this is as good as you are going to get, it is basically non-stop, with just one small stop.”

Also commenting, Minister of Tourism Cecil McKie said that Government fully endorses CAL’s operations.

“Birds of a feather fly together. I don’t think that we could have come up with a better tagline to capture this very special partnership,” said McKie.(LC)