International
Smooth Landing – 79 Passengers On Inaugural American Airlines Miami To Tortola Direct Flight
An American Airlines plane carrying a total of 79 passengers today made the historic inaugural trip from Miami to the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island, Tortola.
Flight – AA3990 – landed smoothly at 1:15p.m. on June 1 with a group of happy passengers, including the British Virgin Islands Premier and Tourism Minister Natalio Wheatley and Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer, to loud cheers from a waiting crowd, which included Deputy Premier Lorna Smith, National Democratic Chairman and Eight Electoral District Representative Marlon Penn, officials from the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board, students, senior citizens and members of the business community.
A second plane with another 79 passengers is expected to arrive at 3:00 p.m.
Passengers and the crew of the three-hour flight were greeted in true cultural style by the Mocka Jumbies, local fungi band The Razorblades and Moviene Fahie and her famous decorated mule.
Direct air access from the mainland United States to the territory is a major achievement for the government and a boost to the local tourism industry, which continues to recover following the covid-19 pandemic.
An estimated 703,000 visitors are projected to visit the territory in 2023, of which about 292,000, would be overnight visitors, according to government predictions.
Some 2,128 passengers are expected to fly monthly to the territory with American Airlines without battling connections and island-hopping.
The last direct flight from Miami to the BVI was in October 1986 with the now defunct British Caribbean Airways.
The American Airline flight will operate from June 1 to August 14, and resume services in November this year.
Daily flights will depart Miami at 10:07 a.m. and arrive at Terrance B Lettsome Airport on Beef Island at 1:06 p.m. Return flights will depart at 1:47 p.m. and arrive at 4:25 p.m. in Miami.
Dame Pereira, who hails from North Sound, Virgin Gorda, has had a distinguished legal career that began when she was called to the Bar of the Virgin Islands in 1981. Rising through the ranks of the judiciary, she became a High Court Judge in 2003 and was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2009. On October 24, 2012, she made history as the first female Chief Justice of the ECSC, a position she held with distinction until her retirement earlier this year in St. Kitts and Nevis. Her legal career has spanned over three decades, marked by numerous groundbreaking achievements and an unwavering commitment to justice.
Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley of the Virgin Islands lauded Dame Pereira’s appointment in a social media post, describing it as “well-deserved” and noting her inspirational impact on the Virgin Islands community. “Your achievements inspire us all!” Premier Wheatley declared, emphasizing the pride that her accomplishments have brought to the region.
The Privy Council appointments, officially announced on August 28, also include notable figures such as Baroness Eluned Morgan MS, the First Minister of Wales, and John Swinney MS, the First Minister of Scotland.
The Privy Council remains one of the oldest government institutions in the UK, advising the sovereign on matters of state and governance.
Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo won gold in the men’s 200 meters final on Thursday, August 8, finishing with a time of 19.46 seconds, the fourth-fastest in Olympic history.
Tebogo’s victory overshadowed the struggles of American star Noah Lyles, who crossed the line in third after revealing he was battling COVID-19. Following the race, Lyles was assisted off the track in a wheelchair.
Lyles’ finish for the second consecutive Olympics left fans and competitors in shock. Despite his health struggles, Lyles managed to finish in 19.70 seconds, falling to his back in pain as he grappled with the effects of the virus that had impacted him throughout his Olympic journey.
As Lyles dealt with his medical issues, Kenny Bednarek secured silver with a time of 19.62 seconds.
Lyles’ condition became evident a night earlier when he finished second in a semifinal and headed to the medical tent without speaking to the press. Despite reassurances from his coach that he was fine, it was clear something was wrong as the final unfolded.
As the runners approached the homestretch, Lyles fell behind, unable to summon his finishing kick. What was once a reliable surge in the final stretch transformed into a push for the line, culminating in a collapse onto the purple track, marking a conclusion to his Olympic journey.
Photo: John David Mercer Photo USA Today
At just 18 years old, Adaejah Hodge has made a mark at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Competing in the 200m semifinals at the iconic Stade de France, Hodge clocked in at 22.70 seconds, securing 8th place in her heat and 17th overall in the semifinals. She becomes the first athlete from the British Virgin Islands (BVI) to advance to an Olympic semifinal in the 200m event.
“Before the race, I was talking to myself to get amped up, and it seemed to work because I actually lowered my time,” Hodge shared with the BVI Olympic Association, reflecting on her pre-race routine. “Just finding exercises like those to prepare me for the race is what I was doing. Throughout the race, I just trusted my training, trusted what I’ve been doing leading up to this point. I think I executed my race well. I’m only 18, so I’m looking forward to the next event, which is the U20s in Peru, and dominate there.”
Earlier in the day, she qualified through the Repechage event.
Reflecting on her Olympic experience, Hodge acknowledged the challenges of competing on such a grand stage. “It’s very hard to go out into the crowd — everyone screaming — so getting comfortable in the situation with all those fans and allowing myself to be Adaejah Hodge is something I will need to do,” she noted.
As the youngest competitor in her event at Paris 2024, she has set a high bar for future competitions.
The U20 Championships in Peru await, where Hodge is determined to build on her Olympic experience.
Oil Spill Forces Temporary Road Closure in Fish Bay
Eighty Virgin Islands Public Officers Complete Customer Service Training
Virgin Islands Releases 2024 Preliminary Voters List for Public Review
-
Crime/Police2 weeks agoHigh-Speed Chase in Hawk’s Nest Leads to Firearm Recovery, Injured Man Found
-
Uncategorized2 weeks agoFirearms and Ammunition Seized in Police Operation in Purcell Estate
-
Crime/Police2 weeks agoGo-Fast Vessel Intercepted Near Jost Van Dyke: Suspects Remain at Large After Firing on Officers
-
Local News1 week agoVirgin Islands Mourn the Loss of Healthcare Pioneer, Mrs. Rita Frett-Georges, MBE
-
Local News1 day agoSearch Underway After Vessel Capsizes Off Jost Van Dyke, One Dead, One Missing
-
Uncategorized1 week agoBVIslander D’Joni Scatliffe Secures Full-Ride Scholarship to Syracuse University
-
Health3 days agoNew EMT Graduates Strengthen BVI’s Emergency Response
-
Crime/Police2 weeks agoMan Charged After Stop-and-Check Operation Amid Crackdown on Public Disorder