St. Lucia Welcomes Non-Stop US Airways Service

Contact: John Emmanuel

Monday, December 17, 2001 – Saint Lucia is among a few selected Caribbean destinations now being served by a new non-stop flight from the United States. On the weekend, tourism officials gathered at the Hewanorra International Airport in Vieux Fort to welcome the inaugural US Airways flight out of Philadelphia.

With the Airbus A319 aircraft touching down on schedule, Tourism Minister Honourable Philip J. Pierre told Captain Brian Hogan and his crew that their presence is St. Lucia signalled another major plus of the local tourism industry which has been battling with the perennial problem of airlift for years.

“The US market is a rather important source of visitors to us in St. Lucia and this non-stop flight will surely add to the marketing of our country,” said Pierre.

The arrival of US Airways to St. Lucia places the island among 90 other destinations worldwide being served by US Airways and US Airways Express, which operate 385 daily non-stop departures from Philadelphia.

“We are particularly proud to commence this new service and demonstrate US Airways’ commitment to pursue new tourism opportunities during a very challenging period of world history,” said Eric Pechstein Director, International Sales for US Airways.

St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony underscored the importance of the new service to the island’s economy, noting that it was the only direct link to the US since 1998 following the pullout of American Airlines.

“For us in St. Lucia we know that these are difficult times and we have watched as many airlines have been compelled to undertake very serious adjustments. Many jobs have been lost in the United States; many airlines have had to refashion and reduce routes either in the US or elsewhere in Europe. (For US Airways) to have decided to come here at this time is really a powerful statement about confidence not only in tourism in St. Lucia but about the future prospects of this new link,” said Dr. Anthony.

In addition to the twenty Caribbean destinations served, or scheduled for service, US Airways, US Express and US Shuttle fly to 188 destinations worldwide.

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