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Virgin Atlantic celebrates a decade flying to the Caribbean

Virgin Atlantic celebrates a decade flying to the Caribbean Long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic this month celebrates its tenth anniversary of operating flights to destinations throughout the Caribbean.

To mark this milestone, the airline has organised a ten-day festival of music running from 30 October with bands from the UK playing in venues throughout Barbados.

Virgin commenced direct flights from Gatwick to St Lucia, Barbados and Antigua in September 1998 and added services to Tobogo and Grenada in 2003, as well as routes from Manchester to Barbados and St Lucia.

A twice-weekly service from Gatwick to Havana in Cuba began in 2005 and Virgin Atlantic also started flying last October to both Montego Bay and Kingston in Jamaica.

Steve Ridgway, Virgin Atlantic chief executive, commented: "Since we started flying to the Caribbean in 1998, we have carried over four million British holidaymakers who love the combined appeal of the beautiful beaches and year-round sunshine the Caribbean has to offer."

"The Caribbean is an important market for us and we are now the biggest operator to the region having added more Caribbean destinations, flying from Gatwick and Manchester to eight destinations on seven islands," he added.

Julia Hendry, marketing director of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, said: "Caribbean tourism has always been dependent on its airline partners and the visitors they bring in from all parts of the UK to experience the region's diversity and many attractions."

"As such, we are delighted at the volume of holidaymakers and the regular and high quality service that they have been able to enjoy thanks to Virgin Atlantic over the past decade," explained Ms Hendry.

"As one of the world's most tourism dependent regions, we're grateful that Virgin Atlantic has been able to offer a wide range of schedule services."

"I would also like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, to thank Virgin Atlantic for its support over the years, not only for its service to the region but in assisting us to raise the profile of the Caribbean. We look forward to continuing this relationship for many years to come," she added.

Since its launch in 1984 by billionaire Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic has ascended to the position of the UK's second largest carrier behind British Airways.


Airline News posted on 02 October 2008

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