Providenciales International Airport welcomed three inaugural flights in three days last week, signaling strong travel demand at the height of the winter season.
The first inaugural flight last week was on Thursday with JetBlue’s daily service out of JFK, New York. On Friday it was Continental’s soon to be daily flights out of its Newark Liberty hub next door to New York. On Saturday it was JetBlue’s inaugural weekly service out of Boston Logan.
Thursday, February 17, 
was an unforgettably “Blue” day. The Airbus A320 touched down 15 minutes earlier than was anticipated, in true JetBlue tradition, and the 150 passengers and crew were welcomed with a spectacular water cannon salute from fire trucks.
Friday, February 18, was a classic case of déjà vu at the Providenciales International Airport as a Continental 737 touched down on another inaugural flight from New York/Newark, carrying 160 passengers.
Continental’s Regional Director for the Caribbean, Rigoberto Alvarenga, revealed that advance bookings are extremely strong for the next four months and he promised that the flight would become daily in two weeks.
“We have been looking at advance bookings coming into the islands and they are so strong, we are very pleased because they are so strong. We brought zero empty seats into the island today and they are keeping the same trend until the end of June. We look forward to keep promoting and supporting the island. This is a growing destination that we are so proud to be serving from now,” he said.
After cutting the Continental ribbon, TCI Governor Gordon Wetherell said, “The successful merger of Continental and United Airlines, creating the world’s largest airlines will also provide a massive global support network, which should increase the options to travel to and from our shores. It would reach beyond the existing North American markets to other major international destinations and help us diversify our own source markets. The start of this service is also timely as we are engaged in a major redevelopment and expansion of the Providenciales International Airport.”
Continental’s Captain John Fowler said, “It was a beautiful flight and we were able to circle the island and let the passengers get a look from 2,000 feet, and it’s a beautiful place. We were able to do all that and still right on time. From what I’ve heard the loads are very high right now and it’s daily service beginning soon.
“Oh it was beautiful, it was beautiful, a few clouds at 5,000 feet, below that clear and like I said we got a good look at the island. We take it right back. This is a turn as we call it, we’re here for an hour and then we’re right back to Newark.”
