Tourism minister Obie Wilchcombe said Tuesday that the launch of Virgin Atlantic Airways to The Bahamas represented a team effort on the part of hardworking people in the hospitality industry.
However, he paid much gratitude to the then Bahamas tourism director for Europe, Ellison Tommy Thompson for his efforts in attracting the U.K.-based carrier.
After many months of planning, Virgin’s inaugural flight touched down at 5:53 p.m. yesterday on a new runway at Nassau International Airport. Ministry of Tourism officials, the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band and a “Junkanoo rushout” crew greeted passengers as they disembarked.
The once-every-Monday, non-stop flight between Nassau and London will be operated by a Boeing 747-400, which has a total capacity of 451 passengers.
In giving brief remarks following the aircraft’s royal welcome, Mr Wilchcombe recalled a conversation in October 2002 that he had with Mr Thompson, saying back then, he had asked the director for Europe,” Why can’t we get Virgin to come to The Bahamas?”
“And he said to me then that we will. And today I am so proud of the fact that we have people like Tommy Thompson,” said Mr Wilchcombe.
For years, Mr Thompson, had been promoting The Bahamas in talks with executives at Virgin and Virgin Holidays, the airline’s tour operator.
He also met with leaders of various hotels here in an attempt to put together Bahamas travel packages to suit European travellers.
Mr Thompson has now been named the deputy director of Tourism and will return home from London in September to assume the post.
Mr Wilchombe also congratulated Melanie Roach, who he said was doing a remarkable job in the development of The Bahamas. Mrs Roach, after an almost three-year stint in the private sector, returned as Director of Public Works Utilities last month.
“So what you are seeing today is the work of a team. What you are seeing is what we are trying to build in our country, a unique vacation destination where people can come and feel what we feel. They feel how proud we are in the work that we have accomplished in a short period of time.”
Hanna-Martin’s remarks
Also at the welcome ceremony was Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Transport and Aviation. She said she was excited to be able to witness the landing of Virgin on a “virgin” runway, dubbed 14/32. 14/32 was closed in Dec after being damaged by a British Airways jet upon takeoff. After $40 million in repairs, 14/32 was said to be able to accommodate 747-400s such as the Virgin jet ﾖ the largest now flying to The Bahamas.
“Today we have opened a runway that is 11,400-foot long. And I’ve been told that’s more than two miles of runway and I think it marks a wonderful day for The Bahamas, but in particular, it marks the first phase for our development for Nassau International Airport,” she said.
She also noted Virgin’s motto – love at first flight ﾖ with particular interest, saying in jest that she hoped the airline’s chairman, Sir Richard Branson would find The Bahamas to be a love affair that is enduring and very fulfilling.
Virgin’s chairman remarks
Mr Branson said for years he had been consistently invited to come to The Bahamas by actor Sean Connery.
“So I am delighted to answer his call. We like competition and Virgin Atlantic is here to give B.A. (British Airways) a run for their money,” he said.
“Today we’ve put our toe in the water and we plan to be here for many years to come, and hopefully, to put on many more routes over the years.”
The airline is the brainchild of Mr Branson of Virgin Records. In the early 80s, the chairman was best known for the legendary record label that signed major names. Virgin is 51-percent owned by Mr Branson’s Virgin Group and 49-percent by Singapore Airlines.
After party
After the welcome ceremony, Mr Branson and other executives of the airline, along with journalists from Britain and The Bahamas, attended a reception at Atlantis. The reception coincided with Virgin 21st birthday, which was celebrated last week in London and New York. The aircraft will be departing for London this afternoon.
Mindell Small, The Nassau Guardian
