By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 28th December 2018)- At around 3;30PM on Saturday 22ndDecember, Sun Country Airlines from Minneapolis, Minnesota in the US made its inaugural visit to St.Kitts-Nevis touching down at the Robert. L Bradshaw International Airport with a full capacity of 126 passengers.
Flight SY777 was welcomed by a symbolic fire truck salute as it glided along the runway while the disembarked passengers were greeted by the folklore performance of Valen’s Masquerade Troupe.
Government Ministers including Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris, Tourism Minister Lindsay Grant as well as Nevis’ Premier and Minister of Tourism and Aviation Mark Brantley and other officials formed a greeting party, interacting with some of the passengers while ambassadors from the Ministry of Tourism bearing patriotic souvenirs bags greeted passengers making their way to the Arrival Hall.
A toast ceremony was observed at Kayan Jet Lounge during a brief ceremony ahead of the flight’s scheduled departure.
Speaking at that ceremony, the Sun Country captain, after accepting a welcome plaque on behalf of the flight crew, expressed: “We had a great flight down and we are looking forward to having more flights…”
Minister Grant, during his presentation, remarked: “Today is indeed a historic occasion as it is the first time Sun Country Airlines is servicing our twin island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. Further, Sun Country’s peak season from Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the first ever non-stop service from the upper mid-west and so we are thankful for that (in)welcoming a new airline to St. Kitts is an official duty that brings me great pride and privilege.”
“The upper mid-west is not only a hub for Sun Country, it is also a key source market in the United States that is home to a number of affluent residents. Visitors from this very important and growing region will now find it much more convenient to reach our shores. This flight will help us continue growing our US arrivals from a number of new and existing geographic markets,” he stated also.
Minister Brantley in expressing delight of the new flight service commented: “It is gratifying that Sun Country has recognised the potential of St. Kitts and Nevis as an upscale destination for leisure travel.”
It is understood that Sun Country Airlines will continue to operate for the peak season on Saturdays via non-stop schedules through 20th April 2019.
Those flights are based on the following listed local time slots which are subject to change: SY777 DepartMSP 7:40AM and Arrive SKB 3:15PM and SY778 Depart SKB 4:10PM and Arrive MSP 8:30PM.