And in other news, if you're watching this newscast from New York right now, you might be wrapped up in a blanket with your heater on blast, dreaming of warm sun and cool sea. Your first thought might be to book a flight to the tropics - and now in just a few hours travelers can escape the north's icy grip and zip to a warm tropical island in Belize. That's because JetBlue airlines is now flying directly from JFK to PGIA. The inaugural flight landed in Belize today, and Courtney Menzies was at the airport. Here is her story.
In about four and a half hours, travelers from snowy New York can be kicking back on a beach in Belize this winter. That's because discount carrier JetBlue now has direct flights from the northeastern US state straight to our Caribbean jewel.
The inaugural flight arrived today at the PGIA around midday, after which a ceremony was held.
The prime minister explained that this achievement was because of the hard work of the Ministry of Tourism.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"We need to be able to thank Minister Mahler and his team, I mean they have been constantly on the road trying to get more and more airlines to come in from different parts of the country in the US and certainly in Europe and now here we are, finally getting JetBlue to make its first inaugural flight. They will be flying three times a week so it will make it easy for tourists to come for the weekend if they wish, as opposed to being stuck for a whole week. And likewise, Belizeans, you know we have a lot of families in the New York area so again it makes it easier for us to travel so hats off to the minister and his team."
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"I just looked at some of the key words and the values and the slogans that you use to project your business, or your company. You above all. For you values, safety, caring, integrity, passion, fun, to inspire humanity, both in the air and on the ground. We in the tourism industry live that every single day and we look forward truly to this partnership with JetBlue."
"It's not 12 and 21, or so, so 12 airlines catering to 21 cities. Now, I often say that airlift is the life blood of the industry, the overnight sector is the most important asset of our business, cruise plays its part but the bulk of the revenue is generated by the tourism industry, comes from the overnight sector."
"JetBlue opens a whole new route to us to New York, I'm also the Minister responsible for Diaspora Relations, and there are many Belizeans who will use this route and Belizeans living all across the world."
And JetBlue's VP for Government and Airport Affairs explained that not only will they have a direct flight, but travelers can fly at a low cost.
Jeffrey Goodell, VP, Gov't & Airport Affairs, JetBlue
"With this launch, JetBlue becomes the only airline to offer nonstop service between New York, JFK, and Belize and we get to do so by introducing JetBlue's award winning, low fare service and a better option for customers who are looking to fly between Belize and the US."
"We want to fly where our customers want to travel and they have been telling us that Belize is at the top of the list so we've checked that one off and we're ready to go. I don't need to tell you that Belize is one of Central America's most amazing countries and has everything travelers want. We are thrilled to be bringing more New Yorkers here to experience that."
But perhaps the most exciting part of today's flight was the pilot, Jason Smith, who grew right here, in the little town of PG.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"And also what crowning achievement can we have now when it's a Belizean pilot who is from PG, I was just talking to his dad, to be flying JetBlue, the first Belizean flying an international carrier and to make the inaugural flight to us, it's almost like a fairytale, couldn't be better."
JetBlue will be flying into Belize three times a week.
And for a limited time, JetBlue is offering one way fares to New York for only $119 US dollars.
