Turks and Caicos Welcomes Virgin Atlantic; Crew wowed by pristine TCI Beauty!

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, November 14, 2023 – Virgin Atlantic was met with a warm Turks and Caicos welcome on November 8 as the second-ever flight from the airline arrived in the country. The 9-hour flight that connects the Providenciales/Howard Hamilton International Airport (PLS) to Europe via London Heathrow Airport (LHR) was booked to touch the tarmac at 12:50 pm TCI time.

Attending the event which was streamed live was Hannah Swift, Virgin Atlantic Caribbean Country Manager. Swift, who was visiting the Turks and Caicos for the first time, said she was stunned at the beauty of the country.

“If you ask anybody that was just on the plane with us what my reaction was as we were flying in and I could see your beautiful waters outside the windows, there really is nothing else like it in the Caribbean. It’s beautiful you are all truly blessed to live where you live,” she gushed.

Swift stressed that Virgin was thrilled for the future with the Turks and Caicos Islands. “It is incredibly exciting to offer people in the UK and beyond the UK with our partners in Air France and KLM, those European passengers the opportunity to come here on a nonstop flight.. It does make a difference when it’s 9 hours instead of 11,” she continued “It’s exciting to be able to offer the chance for imports and exports and business travel.”

The route which connects the Turks and Caicos with Europe directly will run twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

There was an air of excitement from the attending guests and the joy was apparently mirrored in London.

The inaugural flight had been on Saturday, November 4th and several TCI Tourism team members flew to the UK on the return flight to speak at the World Trade Market, including Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism; Border Force Representatives, and the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association TCHTA representatives. They explained that the UK residents were thrilled about the direct connection.

“We have had the opportunity to speak to so many travel writers and we didn’t have any negative questions to answer, everybody was excited to see us,” Connolly revealed.

Local TCI celebrations were reserved for the less busy Wednesday afternoon fight on which those TCI representatives returned. Washington Misick, TCI Premier, in revealing that 65 residents were on the flight expressed hope that the flight would swell and add more value to the economy.

Minister Connolly was positive that it would, she said.

“We are confident that our unique blend of natural wonders and warm hospitality will captivate the hearts of the UK and European travelers, “ she continued, “With this direct connection we anticipate a surge in travelers from the United Kingdom – UK and European travelers who seek the epitome of luxury and relaxation will find their haven in our islands.”

The event occurred during Tourism Environmental Awareness Month and sustainability was a running theme for attendees.  “This month on the 28th we operate our first fully sustainable aviation fuel flight- the world’s first!” Swift explained.

“We aim to strike a balance between growth and preservation ensuring that our natural beauty and ecological treasures continue to flourish,” Connolly added.

Also attending the event were Dileeni Daniel Selveratnam, TCI Governor; Anya Wiliams, Deputy Governor; Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism; Wesley Clerveaux,  Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and a host of other ministers decked out in red to compliment the VA colors.