ORLANDO – Caribbean Airlines operated its inaugural flight to Orlando, Florida on Tuesday, July 5. Landing at MCO International Airport the day after the United State celebrated its independence, most were still in the mood for celebrating as the airline was greeted with the traditional water salute upon arrival in Central Florida.
The airline announced its intention to operate the Orlando route in mid-April. The flight left from Piarco International Airport at 10 a.m. on Tuesday with the airline’s Vice-President, Operations, Capt Thomas Lawrence, piloting the 737 aircraft to Orlando.
Following arrival into Central Florida, Caribbean Airlines personnel were guests at a flight reception hosted by the Greater Orlando Airports Authority at the Hyatt Regency. Guests included Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Orlando Commissioner Tony Ortiz and Trinidad and Tobago’s General Counsel, Miami, Dr Anil Ramnanan, among others.
“The arrival of Caribbean Airlines and its connections to tropical getaways is great news. It furthers our plans as an airport and as a community to cultivate and connect to markets that have historically been under served. This is good business for Orlando International and the 35 million people we serve and is good business for all of Central Florida”, says Cesar E. Calvet, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
Also speaking at the reception in Orlando was Vice-President of Operations Captain Thomas Lawrence who reinforced the message that since finalising its deal with Air Jamaica on May 26, 2011, Caribbean Airlines would now operate as one airline with two brands – Caribbean Airlines and Air Jamaica. Caribbean Airlines will operate the Orlando route from Trinidad twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays for the duration of the summer period.
Caribbean Airlines inaugural flight to Orlando BW483 is greeted by a water salute at Orlando’s MCO International Airport in Florida on Tuesday.
Chief Executive Officer (Ag) Robert Corbie interacts with some of the passengers on board the inaugural flight.
(Left to Right) At Piarco International Airport Caribbean Airlines Team Members were on hand to greet passengers with Caribbean Airlines memorabilia to commemorate the event. Laura Asbjornsen (Head Corporate Communications), Sharon Marques-Dass (Manager Customer Experience), Kerwin Leepoy (Airport Manager), Nirmala Ramai (Executive Manager Customer Experience and Airports), Robert Corbie (Chief Executive Officer [Ag]) and Nneka Wilson (Corporate Communications Coordinator)
