British Airways has announced the commencement of new services to Aruba and Guyana from London Gatwick.
The brand-new route from London Gatwick to Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) in Oranjestad, Aruba, which was launched on March 26, will operate twice weekly via Antigua on Thursdays and Sundays.
Commenting on the service, British Airways cabin crew member Arelis Spanner, who flew on the inaugural BA2157, said: ‘This is such a special day – I’m so proud that British Airways is flying to my home country and to be able to travel on the inaugural flight has been an amazing homecoming.’
The new route from London Gatwick to Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO) in Georgetown, Guyana which was launched on March 27, will operate twice weekly, operating via St Lucia on Mondays and Thursdays.
Captain Marc Chan, who operated the first Guyana flight, said: ‘My father was a BOAC and British Airways captain from 1968 until 1999. He used to look up as a small boy from the jungle at the silver BOAC jets flying high above and dreamed of one day becoming a pilot. My father, Michael Chan-Choong, was the first Guyanese pilot in BOAC. More than 50 years later I am very proud to help launch the inaugural service to Georgetown with my co-pilot Alan Brooks who has Caribbean heritage. It will mark my first steps onto the land of my father and is one of the highlights of my flying career.’
Both routes will operate on a Boeing 777-200 aircraft, with three cabins for customers to choose from: Club (business), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy).
British Airways also launched its first direct flight to Port of Spain, Trinidad, which will operate three times per week from London Gatwick.
The flight was formerly via St Lucia. Return fares are from £520 for Oranjestad, Aruba, £499 for Georgetown, Guyana and £520 for Port of Spain, Trinidad. Tickets can be booked at www.ba.com
British Airways operates more routes to the Caribbean and Mexico than any other UK airline, with Aruba and Guyana bringing the total number of destinations served in the region to 17.