Virgin Atlantic Flights Allow Breakfast In London, Lunch In TCI

From Front row left: Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams, Victoria Swift, Country Manager, Virgin Atlantic, Minister of Tourism, the Hon Josephine Connolly. From Second row left: Stacy Cox, CEO, TCHTA, Karen Whitt, Hartling Group, Alvin Hegner, Co-Chair, Experience Turks and Caicos. From Third row left: Leandrea Missick, Executive Assistant, Ministry of Tourism, Tendra Musgrove, VP, TCHTA, Nikeva Ariza, Communication Manager, Airports Authority and Mary Cunningham, Travel Advisor

The Turks and Caicos Islands is celebrating Virgin Atlantic’s twice-weekly, non-stop flight from London to Providenciales.

The Inaugural Virgin Atlantic Flight was on Saturday, November 4, 2023, from London Heathrow to Howard Hamilton International Airport, Providenciales.

The Virgin Atlantic flight between London Heathrow and the Howard Hamilton International Airport in Providenciales marks the first non-stop flight between the two countries.

Minister of Tourism Hon. Josephine Connolly was elated that the TCI has landed another airlift out of the United Kingdom, further opening the Turks and Caicos Islands to the rest of Europe.

“We now have a direct flight from London to the Turks and Caicos Islands and everywhere I go they ask me, ‘how did this happen?’ an elated Connolly told a news conference at Howard Hamilton International Airport, upon the TCI delegation’s arrival from London at the World Travel Market via Virgin Atlantic.

“The Turks and Caicos Islands has established a solid reputation for luxury and excellence, making us a well-established brand. Our stunning beaches, crystal waters and world-class resorts have helped us build a reputation that resonates far beyond our borders, particularly in the high-esteemed US and Canada markets,” she added.

The Virgin Atlantic crew celebrating the arrival of the flight to the Turks and Caicos

She added: “Our commitment to providing unparalleled experiences for our visitors has earned us a distinguished position on the global tourism map. This new flight to our shores ushers in a new era for the tourism industry. This direct flight connection from London to the Turks and Caicos Islands signifies a monumental shift and promises to yield numerous benefits for our nation.”

Minister Connolly said this non-stop flight signals expansion into the European market, will provide an economic boost with a surge of arrivals from the United Kingdom, an opportunity to expose our world-class resorts, exquisite dining options and unique cultural attributes to a new audience, and a steadfast commitment to sustainable tourism practices.

Hannah Swift, Country Manager for Virgin Atlantic said the Turks and Caicos Islands has become the airline’s eighth Caribbean destination.

“It is exciting to be here and to offer people in the UK and beyond the UK, with our partners in Air France and KLM, to give European travellers a chance to come here on a non-stop flight, and offer the chance for imports and exports, and gives business travellers a chance to do come to the island and do business and the same for the people from the Turks and Caicos Islands to go the UK and do business,” she said.

Caption: Front Row from Left Deputy Governor, her Excellency Anya Williams, Minister of Tourism, the Hon Josephine Connolly, Governor, Her Excellency Dileeni Deniel Selvaratnam and Ms. Hannah Swift, Country Manager, Virgin Atlantic. Back Row from left, Mr. Wesley Clerveaux, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, the Hon Arlington Musgrove, Minister of Immigration and Border Control, Premier, the Hon Charles Washington Missick, Mr. Alvin Hegner, co-chair of the board of Experience Turks and Caicos, Deputy Premier, the Hon Erwin Saunders and the Hon Jamel Robinson, Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure.

In his remarks, Minister of Immigration and Border Control, Hon. Arlington Musgrove, noted that the new airlift coincides with Tourism Environmental Awareness Month, the theme of which is “Invest in Today for a Better Tomorrow”.

“For Virgin Airlines to touch down in the Turks and Caicos Islands while we celebrate Tourism Environmental Awareness Month, is a momentous occasion. This shows the emphasis the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands is putting in tourism. It also shows we are dedicated to teaching the world what the Turks and Caicos Islands is all about,” Musgrove said.

In her remarks, Governor, Her Excellency Dileeni Deniel Selvaratnam said it is wonderful partnership that the TCI has forged with Virgin Atlantic, pointing out that she was excited to have this direct flight into London.

Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Anya Williams said she was very elated about the new airlift and what it could do for brand Turks and Caicos brand. She encouraged everyone to support the airline to guarantee success.

Premier, the Honourable Charles Washington Missick, who also spoke at the event, commended all parties who made to new airlift to the TCI possible.

The World Travel Market that the TCI delegation visited before returning on Virgin Atlantic was held between November 6 and 8. It was jointly led by her and Deputy Governor Anya Williams.

The delegation included Wesley Clerveaux - Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism; Alvin Hegner - Co-Chair of the Experience Turks and Caicos Board of Directors; Selvyn Hawkins, Chair of the Board of Turks and Caicos Airport Authority (TCIAA); Karen Whitt from the Hartling Group; a COMO Parrot Cay representative; and Stacy Cox, CEO of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association.