Delta Airlines Expresses Commitment to Federation Tourism

By Ryan Haas
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

The Hon. Richard Skerritt welcomes the returning Prime Minister, the Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS- THE inaugural flight of Delta Airlines non-stop from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to St. Kitts touched down at 3:01pm on February 16th, symbolizing the newly founded economic partnership between the airline and the government. 

The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, said that the weekly flight is one example of how the Federation is “transforming the old, traditional economy that has been based on sugar into one that is much more exciting led by services, and in particular tourism and hospitality services.”

“It was very easy to do business with Delta because they are so confident

The inaugural flight of non-stop Atlanta to St. Kitts

about the future of the Caribbean,” said the Minister of State responsible for Tourism, Sports, and Culture, the Hon. Richard Skerritt. 

He also stated that the government has made no financial guarantee for the flight with Delta, but will instead work with them on various marketing promotions to ensure the sustainability of the flight. 

A fanfare of chiming steel drums and colorful ‘Mocko Jumbies’ greeted passengers of the Boeing 737, which seats 150 people, as they exited the aircraft.
 
~~Adz:Left~~ Mr. Skerritt, Miss St. Kitts 2007/2008 Mariece Roberts and various representatives of Delta waited on the tarmac to shake hands and welcome the passengers to the Federation. 

With Hartsfield-Jackson being one of the busiest passenger airports in the world, it was proposed that this new flight will provide travelers from all over the world with a more convenient way to reach the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. “We are more ready today to welcome visitors to our shores than ever before,” P.M. Douglas said. 

The Prime Minister said that this flight would bring a new type of tourism to St. Kitts and Nevis. “The traveler that I speak about is one who has been targeted as a well traveled person, one who is savvy with his higher than average income, just the type of traveler who flies with Delta Airlines.”

Delta Field Director, Charisse Evans, echoed these sentiments in her address during the press conference. “We are looking forward to a wonderful partnership, an extended relationship, and lots and lots of money.”

Passengers arrive in the Federation	The Prime Minister presents Delta representative Charisse Evans with a locally made gift