Video: Transport Minister ‘Excited’ By New Flight
[Updated with video] Minister of Transport Derrick Burgess held a press conference this afternoon [May 22] to discuss Delta’s new daily flight between New York and Bermuda.
“I am happy to confirm that Delta Airlines shall introduce daily, non-stop service to Bermuda from New York’s La Guardia Airport, beginning April 7th, 2013,” said Minister Burgess.
“The introduction of the La Guardia service means that Bermuda will have four daily, non-stop flights from the New York area during the 2013 peak season, up from the three that we have at present, thereby increasing the number of daily available seats from 450 to approximately 600.”
“Concerning the details of the new flight, the service commences April 7, 2013 using a 160-seat Boeing 737 aircraft. It departs LaGuardia at 9:55am arrives in Bermuda at 1:05pm; then departs Bermuda at 2:05pm and arrives back in LaGuardia at 3:40pm.”
There is no revenue guarantee agreement in place for the LaGuardia service the Minister said, however the Department of Tourism will “look at ways to identify the most effective marketing support to ensure the success of the flight.”
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
Good afternoon.
I am happy to confirm that Delta Airlines shall introduce daily, non-stop service to Bermuda from New York’s La Guardia Airport, beginning April 7th, 2013.
This comes on the heels of ongoing discussions between Delta and our Airport General Manager, Mr. Aaron Adderley to secure additional airlift from the New York metropolitan area, our largest gateway market.
The hotel industry and others in the Tourism sector had suggested that in order to accommodate growth in air arrivals, they would prefer that the Department of Airport Operations acquire an additional flight out of New York specifically, where awareness of Bermuda is at its highest.
The introduction of the La Guardia service means that Bermuda will have four daily, non-stop flights from the New York area during the 2013 peak season, up from the three that we have at present, thereby increasing the number of daily available seats from 450 to approximately 600.
This new flight adds to what has been an aggressive introduction of new airline services over the past two years, with both Westjet and AirTran entering the Bermuda market in 2010 and 2011 respectively, underscoring the fact that Bermuda continues to be well served with diverse and competitive air services.
For Delta, the new Bermuda service represents their commitment to expanding their presence in the very competitive New York market by offering its customer base a broader selection of leisure destinations from which to chose.
Concerning the details of the new flight, the service commences April 7, 2013 using a 160-seat Boeing 737 aircraft. It departs LaGuardia at 9:55am arrives in Bermuda at 1:05pm; then departs Bermuda at 2:05pm and arrives back in LaGuardia at 3:40pm.
The Department of Airport Operations and Delta wanted to ensure that the schedule would facilitate as many connections to our secondary markets as possible including upstate New York and New England. In total, passengers can connect to well almost 50 destinations.
Similar to many of the new flights we have introduced over the past couple of years, there is no revenue guarantee agreement in place for the LaGuardia service.
However, the Department of Tourism will look at ways to identify the most effective marketing support to ensure the success of the flight.
Travelers will recall Delta offered a LaGuardia to Bermuda service very briefly in 2009. However, they have committed to return in 2013 with the goal of having a year-round service should demand warrant.
I am excited by yet another new flight and am proud of the efforts of our team at the Department of Airport Operations to ensure Bermuda is the most connected little island in the world.
Thank you and I will take any questions.
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scuse please Derrick but Delta already announced it….but try to take credit for it anyway…..now back to what ever it is you do….
How is he taking credit?? He is expressing the appreciation and his happiness that it is being introduced.
Actually, Minister Burgess IS responsible for airlines and the airport. So he had something to do with it.
’cause he’s the Transport Minister.
Wrong? He had nothing to with it. Airline negotiations are generally lengthy and sometimes takes years to come into fruition. The credit should go Minsiter Lister and the staff at the airport….hello?
In that case lets thank Dr. Brown….hello?
Your Deputy Premier has to read all this from a prepared statement???
again?
If a Transport Minister can’t speak on this without notes what’s he been doing all these years??
I can just see some Civil servant starting the line ‘I’m excited..look up and smile..too announce…”
At least he has improved his reading skills while in office and has worked very hard to eliminate the um ums ..now if Larry Scott can work on his um ums
I have read blogs in many other newspapers and other publications from all over the world and I can say without a shadow of doubt that here in Bermuda the bloggers are some of the nastiest in the world. Many of the blogs display disguised racist overtones as if people are too stupid to figure it out. I am happy that they are doing it though, because this shows their true colors, and reveals that they have no use for black people in this country. I hope black people have their eyes open to what is going on. They have complete distaste for anything that our black leaders put forward. We had International events such as Carifa and drum line. Very few whites attended these events, although our young people were trying to display their talents. They even prevented their children from participating in the events. A few of the participants from the Caribbean we’re curious about the absence of whites and they question me about it. I didn’t lie about it, I told them it is a common occurrence and that they very seldom attend anything that is initiated by black people. I can say boldly that I am a devoted PLP supporter,however I would never say some of the nasty things about members of the UBP/OBA as they do. I consider them fellow Bermudians with different political views. That is the democratic way.
I’m fundamentally against commercial air travel, but am sexually excited by the new Delta flight. Its kind of a problem because it stirs up powerful sentiments of guilt, shame and jet fuel.
Big whoop! It doesn’t start for almost a year!
Good for you Delta to announce it first to get the scoop on Burgess.
You guys bitch about everything.
Quo Browna Furunt.
It aint bitchin- it’s satire and satire is the enemy of tyranny,..get it?
Perhaps he could have been a little more accurate & anounced it as a RE introduction of a La Guardia service.
Remember the days of Eastern Arlines? Remember when Pan Am flew a daily 747, Eastern a wide body L1011 out of JFK plus there were the EWR & LGA flights.
EASTER WAS THE AIRLINE THEY HAD FIVE FLIGHTS A DAY ONE FROM PHL/2JFK/BWI/EWR…I MISS THAT AIRLINE…