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Contact:
Julita Peter
Wednesday, November 03, 2004 - In order to further strengthen its
presence in the Caribbean, American Airlines resumed Monday, November 1, 2004,
non-stop daily service flights to St. Lucia from its Miami hub. The airline,
which is normally full out of Miami with 142 passengers, picks up some 50
passengers from St. Lucia.
Prime Minister, Dr. Kenny Anthony was positive, noting that the airline was back
for good, because of the buoyancy of the tourism sector, and in particular, with
some 700 additional rooms coming from the construction of new hotels and
expansion of existing ones, including Coconut Bay in Vieux Fort, Discovery Bay
in Marigot Bay and Coco Creole in Rodney Bay.
The airline stopped that service in 1999, after the route became uneconomical.
In its place, American Airlines started the American Eagle service out of Puerto
Rico, which is still in place.
American Airlines will fly the route with a Boeing 737 aircraft, one of the
newest aircraft in its fleet, with seating for 16 business-class and 126
coach-class passengers, bringing to 990, the number of additional seats
available to St. Lucia on a weekly basis out of Miami.
Dr. Kenny Anthony, joined by other Ministers of Government and tourism officials
was at Hewanorra International Airport to welcomed Captain John Osborne and his
crew. He commended American Airlines for the decision to resume flights to St.
Lucia, even as the airline industry grapples with the tough economic times.
“When therefore, an airline in these very difficult circumstances decides that
it is going to stat a new flight, it is not without very careful thought. It is
a statement of confidence yes, it is a statement of the potential of the market,
but more than this, it is also an indication that they are willing to consider
needs, perhaps in a territory that they are familiar with. American Airlines is
synonymous with the Americas, we are part of the Americas and we would not have
wanted to be left out,” Dr. Anthony said.
With more than 30 years of service to the Caribbean, the airline sees this new
service as underscoring its commitment to the region. “American Airlines and the
Government of St. Lucia are partners in tourism and this new service will offer
a greater number of connecting opportunities for travellers to visit this
beautiful island. Why St. Lucia? All you have to do is come here and you
wouldn’t have to ask why St. Lucia. This is my sixth trip to the island and I am
hoping that some day soon, I could come and relax here and enjoy all the beauty
that I see. All it takes is for someone to do a little research on ST. Lucia and
see the beautiful hotels, the beaches and the friendliness of the people”, said
Philip Olivieri, Regional Managing Director for American Airlines in the
Caribbean.
Tourism Minister Hon. Phillip J. Pierre said the new one-stop daily service to
St. Lucia is seen as part of efforts to enhance the island’s tourism industry
and assist in its continued economic development: “We can only gain by having
American airlines come to St. Lucia. We can only gain by increasing the amount
of air seats into St. Lucia. As Tourism continues to prosper, I understand that
for the first six months of 2004, our tourism increased by over six percent and
arrivals from the US increased by double digit figures. With the addition of
American Airlines and the network of the American Airlines family, St. Lucia
will prosper, our industry will improve.”
The new American Airlines non-stop service to St. Lucia is providing direct
benefits to 25 persons as a result of the new jobs that have been created.
American Airlines is the largest airline in the world with some 2,500 flights
daily.
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