Government succeeds in increasing flights from Beef Island to San Juan

~~Adz:Right~~ Roadtown, Tortola- Government continues to work with all airlines to resolve the airlift problem facing the Territory by providing more flights between Beef Island and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Government recently reached an agreement with LIAT to provide three daily flights to and from San Juan. These flights will assist in filling the void created by American Eagle’s reduction of daily flights from ten to three, and in particular their decision to withdraw their entire morning service.

Minister for Communications and Works the Honourable Julian Fraser, RA told the Department of Information and Public Relations that as a result of long negotiations, LIAT now operates two daily flights to San Juan and one return flight from San Juan, effective September 8, 2008.

“Residents and visitors will be able to fly LIAT to San Juan from Beef Island at 9:35 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. and return from San Juan at 7:55 p.m.  The addition of these flights by LIAT will allow residents and visitors options for the early morning and late evening flight to and from San Juan,” Minister Fraser said.

Chief Executive Officer of LIAT Mr. Mike Darby said, “LIAT is delighted to have been able to reach an agreement with the Government of the Virgin Islands.  We recognised that there is a need to replace services lost as a result of American Eagle’s flight cuts and we are happy to be able to provide the service.”

Currently, American Eagle’s schedule from Beef Island to San Juan does not include any morning departure from or late night arrival to Beef Island.

In other efforts to resolve the airlift problem in the Territory, Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE discussed several proposals with American Eagle at a meeting in Puerto Rico on September 19.  The Premier is scheduled to hold similar discussions with Cape Air and the companies offering ferry services between both sets of Virgin Islands as Government continues to address airlift capacity in and out of the Territory.

Government recognises the significance of adequate airlift to support the tourism industry and remains committed to restoring the airlift capacity to the Territory.