The much-anticipated American Airlines flight AA3780 arrived at the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (CJLIA) on Saturday, December 11, 2021, as scheduled. This marked the return of American Airline service to Anguilla.
Some years ago, American Airlines offered regularly scheduled airlift service between Puerto Rico and Anguilla. At the time, those scheduled flights on the American Eagle ATR72 brought the majority of visitors from the US mainland to Anguilla.
American Airlines last served Anguilla when the American Eagle flight flew out from the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport on the afternoon of April 4, 2011. The finality of that flight meant that persons travelling between Anguilla and the mainland USA would have to arrange with other carriers for travel service.
Commenting on the resumption of American Airlines service to Anguilla last Saturday, Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for Tourism, Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie, noted: “We have enjoyed a long and profitable relationship with American Airlines dating back to the 1990’s when American Eagle brought us the majority of our visitors with service four days a week between San Juan and Anguilla. American has helped to launch Anguilla on the tourism map.”
“With this new Miami route,” she observed, “Our guests through the US, United Kingdom, South America, Dubai and Canada, now have convenient access to our wonderful island. American Airlines has launched Anguilla on the tourism market and we look forward to growing the destination with American Airlines.”
Speaking at the American Airlines Inaugural Flight Ceremony on Saturday, Anguilla Tourist Board Chairman, Kenroy Herbert, noted the contribution that the new American Airlines service will have on Anguilla’s tourism industry:
“I am delighted to be here this afternoon to mark the occasion of American Airlines’ return to Anguilla with direct service from Miami. This introduction of scheduled service from the US mainland is a game-changer for our tourism industry.
“Access is the most critical factor for any destination, and with the excellent connectivity provided through the Miami gateway, these new flights will create a host of business and leisure [tourism] opportunities for our island. We are expanding our market efforts to new lucrative markets to ensure that these flights not only remain full, but to guarantee the addition of even more frequent service and new routes.
“Our vision is to truly develop an international airport and welcome continental and Trans-Atlantic flights from around the world to our shores. Our team at the Anguilla Tourist Board is dedicated to supporting American Airlines to educate both [its] reservation staff and [its] network of travel advisors about Anguilla’s tourism product.
“We continue to work with our travel partners, our stakeholders on island, and industry professionals in marketing, to actively promote and utilise this new service, which provides such easy and convenient access to Anguilla.”
Premier, Dr. Ellis L. Webster, emphasised the need for direct connectivity between the USA mainland and Anguilla. He observed: “It is a pleasure to have you here and to have brought American Airlines back to the shores of Anguilla.”
He continued: “Connectivity, that is an important word from the days of the Wright brothers wanting to fly. Anguilla, as an island nation needed to have connection with the rest of the region. We have pilots whose names are enshrined on the [inside] wall [of the terminal building]. They would have helped to put Anguilla on the map but, today, we have ascended to a different level where we have commercial flights from mainland USA.”
Premier Webster offered much praise to American Airlines, the Tourism Board, the different Ministries, the past and present administrations, the American Eagle Embraer ERJ175 flight AA3780 captain and crew, and to all who made the day happen.
“To American Airlines,” he concluded, “thank you for seeing Anguilla as a destination that needs your help. We look forward to making it profitable for you.”
Jorge Ramirez, VP, Envoy International Operations, expressed his personal thanks for welcoming him back to Anguilla. He said: “Thank you, Anguilla, for welcoming us back. I remember those days with American Eagle having the San Juan operation. I want to thank you for welcoming me back. Thank you for the warm welcome. I like seeing old friends and meeting new friends. On behalf of American Airlines and Envoy, we are here, committed to this island.”
