Remarks by

Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley

Premier of the Virgin Islands

Caribbean Airlines Inaugural Flight

Welcome Ceremony

14 October, 2024

A pleasant good morning to everyone.

To our special guests – officials of Caribbean Airlines and the crew and passengers of this morning's inaugural flight – a warm welcome to the Virgin Islands.

Today's commencement of this new service is the culmination of significant work by all the partners involved. I recall the dialogue between Caribbean Airlines and the BVI Airports Authority commenced in 2019 with great interest and excitement. Arrangements were well advanced for flights to begin between May and June 2020. But as we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic came in March 2020 and disrupted tourism and travel worldwide.

So, I am thrilled that the BVI's team, led by Minister of Communications and Works Hon. Kye Rymer, BVIAA Chairman Mr. Theodore Burke and Managing Director Mr. Kurt Menal, and CAL's team, led by CEO Mr. Garvin Madeira, have successfully navigated all the details for this new service to take flight finally.

As Premier of the Virgin Islands, I sincerely thank you for your efforts.

Today, we celebrate not just the arrival of Caribbean Airlines' inaugural flight to our beautiful British Virgin Islands but also the strengthening of bonds that unite our Caribbean family and even greater things to come. The commencement of today's CAL service, with flights to Puerto Rico in one direction and Antigua and Barbados in the other, and connections to not just CAL's route network but all the operators and destinations that can be accessed through those transit airports, is a significant step to boosting the connectivity and accessibility of the BVI with the world – but most importantly with our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean.

The islands and people of the Caribbean share a common heritage, culture, and destiny, and it cannot be overstated how much inter-regional travel is a lifeline for connecting our people, fostering economic growth, and promoting cultural exchange. Many people who live and work in the BVI have ties across the Caribbean region, whether through business, family, or friendships. A significant part of our workforce is from the various Caribbean islands. Therefore, it means a lot to them to have reliable, convenient, and affordable air transport.

We in the Caribbean know that inter-regional travel catalyses economic growth. It opens up new markets, creates jobs, and stimulates investment. For the Virgin Islands, increased connectivity means more opportunities for our tourism sector—the backbone of our economy—and for developing new sectors. It means more visitors to our shores, more business for our hotels, restaurants, and local artisans, and more opportunities for local businesses to expand outward. It means a brighter future for our people.

But beyond the economic benefits, interregional travel fosters a sense of unity and cultural exchange. It allows us to share our unique traditions, music, and cuisine with our Caribbean neighbours and for them to share with us. It strengthens the bonds of friendship and solidarity that have always been the hallmark of our region. We are building a stronger, more united Caribbean by bridging the distances between our islands.

Today, we are happy to welcome Caribbean Airlines to the Virgin Islands. This inaugural flight begins a new chapter in our journey towards more excellent connectivity. Caribbean Airlines has long been a symbol of excellence in aviation, and we are thrilled to have them as our partners in this endeavour.

Again, we extend our warmest welcome to the crew and passengers of this inaugural flight. We hope your experience here will be as memorable and enjoyable as the journey that brought you to our shores. Your presence here today is a testament to the growing importance of inter-regional travel and the bright future for our Caribbean family.

As we celebrate this milestone, I want to assure you of my Government's commitment to collaboration and partnership. The challenges we face as a region are significant but not insurmountable. By working together and bridging the gaps that separate us, we can overcome these challenges and build a brighter future for all our people. The sky is the limit of what we can achieve.

Thank you, and welcome to the Virgin Islands.