US Airways to Start Jet Service into St. Lucia

Contact: Rose Marie Harris

Friday, June 29, 2001 – Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Honourable Menissa Rambally today announced that US Airways is scheduled to begin two non-stop flights per week to St. Lucia come December 15, 2001.  The welcome news for St. Lucia’s tourism industry comes at a time when industry officials have been lamenting the scarcity of airlift into the island.

“I think it is something that is very positive for the industry.  Certainly we’ve been looking forward to increasing our capacity because many of our hoteliers and hotels do depend significantly on the US market and it has always been a challenge because for some time now we have not had direct air service out of the US market. This is going to signal a very positive addition to Saint Lucia’s air capacity and will speak volumes for the potential that will exist for us to increase our reach in the US market,” Minister Rambally said. 

Subject to U. S. government approval, the new flights will depart from Philadelphia each Saturday and Sunday at 9:45 a.m. and will arrive in Saint Lucia at 3:30 p.m.  The flights will leave Saint Lucia at 4:20 p.m. and will arrive in Philadelphia at 8:30 p.m.  The A320 airbus will provide 223 seats of much needed capacity out of the United States, St. Lucia’s leading tourism market.

Speaking from Arlington, Virginia, where the announcement was made as well, spokesperson for US Airways David Castlecter, says Saint Lucia is clearly one of the more attractive destinations in the Caribbean.

“We are responding to the needs of our customers and the demand for service.  We recognise the demand exists.  We have the airplane to fly the route and we’re just delighted that we can now introduce our customers to some of Saint Lucia’s wonderful offerings like the splendid beaches, the tropical rain forest and the likes.  It’s going to be a leading tour for travellers just giving them the chance to experience the unspoilt, natural wonders of Saint Lucia,” the spokesman said.

Meanwhile officials of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board are extremely excited about the new service, as the US market has always been an extremely significant one for the Board.   Deputy Director of the Board Maria Fowell says with the commencement of this new route, US visitors can come directly to the island especially from markets that US Airways service.

 “Initially they have started with Philadelphia and we have already done quite a bit of work in that area.  We have one of our sales representative, who has been assigned to that area and the population there is quite keen on Saint Lucia and are always looking for direct service,” Fowell said.

US Airways and its affiliates currently serve 15 Caribbean destinations and 189 destinations worldwide.

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