The historic arrival of American Airlines Flight AA3780 with service from Miami to Anguilla, received a warm welcome at the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport.
Government and Tourism Officials, American Airlines representatives, print and digital media persons, as well as curious onlookers, gathered at the airport to witness the inaugural flight and welcome its passengers to Anguilla.
The flight, which is operated by American Airlines’ subsidiary Envoy Air, took off from the Miami Airport shortly after 11:00 am on Saturday, December 11, 2021 and arrived at the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (CJLIA) just over three and a half hours later.
Before connecting with the passenger-boarding stairs on the apron, the inaugural flight was showered with a traditional water salute, courtesy of the Anguilla Fire and Rescue Department. In a patriotic gesture, the aircraft’s chief pilot, Captain Joe Thies, unfurled an Anguilla flag to the delight of cheering spectators. He later presented the flag, on behalf of American Airlines and Envoy, and in his honour, to Premier Webster.
Premier, Dr. Ellis Webster commented: “Today, I am a proud Anguillian. This is an auspicious occasion. This is a day that will go down in history.” He thanked all those who contributed in anyway to the actualisation of the inaugural flight AA3780.
Anguilla’s Minister with responsibility for Transportation and Tourism, Mr. Haydn Hughes, and Parliamentary Secretary, Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie, had been in Miami for a special ceremony, at the airline’s gate, to mark the inaugural flight heading to Anguilla. They were among the 74 passengers on-board the inaugural flight when it touched down in Anguilla. Their decent from the aircraft culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony officially making the arrival and deplaning of passengers on Flight AA3780.
Speaking at the welcome ceremony, PS Gumbs-Marie said it was a pleasure to welcome American Airlines inaugural service from Miami to Anguilla, marking a milestone in Anguilla’s tourism industry with the first direct commercial flight from the US mainland to Anguilla.
She continued: “It is a goal we have long sought, as expanding easy and convenient access to our island opens up tremendous potential for growth. In a highly competitive arena, it is essential to have non-stop service and easy connections from major markets. This new American Airlines direct service to the island provides our visitors with several points of access throughout the US – reducing our reliance on the northwest tri-state area.
“To the many Anguillians and residents at home, and in the diaspora, this is your moment. Everyone knows that the reviews of Anguilla are consistent in one thing – nowhere in the world can you find people quite like us. You created the demand that made Anguilla what it is.”
Minister of Tourism, Mr. Haydn Hughes said that he was delighted that American Airlines would be providing a twice-weekly direct service flight between Miami and Anguilla this winter, and expressed excitement at the prospects this service affords Anguilla. He observed: “The introduction of direct service into Anguilla from the US mainland is a goal we have long been working towards, and we are thrilled that our efforts have borne fruit. This is a tremendous vote of confidence in our destination. This marks an important event in the sustainability of our nation.”
He continued: “I can safely say, the possibility and reality of this inaugural flight will be a success for both American Airlines and for Anguilla. We will do all that we can to ensure that this is sustainable, as our success is dependent on each other. This is a team effort. This is an historic day.”
Jorge Ramirez, VP Envoy International Operations, summarised the company’s sentiments: “Well, congratulations Anguilla! Pictures say a thousand words, but my brief words today will be, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you, Anguilla, for welcoming us back.’”
