The new carrier promises year-round service to San Juan Michael Ritzi regarded the crowd gathered for the ceremony to commemorate Seaborne Airlines’ service to the Vance Amory International Airport and concluded someone had given away his secret. As the airline’s director of business development, Ritzi had come to Nevis to celebrate the airline’s new relationship with the island – but he had also come to give away free tickets. During his speech, he handed out five round-trip tickets from Nevis to San Juan to audience members. A crowd of several dozen hoteliers, airport workers and ordinary citizens filled the lobby of the airport to welcome Seaborne. Ritzi said the turnout demonstrated Nevis’ community spirit and its enthusiasm for free airfare. “You only have to truly come here once, and you’re never a stranger again,”he said. He said the airline needs locals to use its service to San Juan in order to serve the island long-term. “Like any business, we need to put people in the seats,” he said. “We do not want to be a carrier that only does seasonal. In order for us to do that, Seaborne needs your help.” He said one-way flights to San Juan are currently on sale for $89. Seaborne began service to Nevis on Jan. 15. The St. Croix-based company will fly from Nevis to St. Kitts to San Juan and back everyday. At the ceremony, Minister of Tourism Hon. Mark Brantley said the NIA’s agreement with the new mid-size carrier bodes well for the health of the airport. “We have not seen a plane of this size coming into Nevis on a regular basis for perhaps 5 years,” he said. “Clearly, a tremendous amount of effort is going into making this airline and this airport your choice for travel … We have brought Vance Amory International back to life.” As airlines go, Seaborne appears to be a strong partner. The company is growing at an astounding rate. By April, it’s set to increase the number of flights it offers by about 45 percent from 1,800 per month to 2,600 per month. Premier Hon. Vance Amory said the 34-seat airplane’s presence will make travel easier for Nevisians. He said the “nightmares” of pre-flight boat travel to St. Kitts are over. Greg Phillip, CEO of the Nevis Tourism Authority, said the marketing of the service will target Caribbean residents, not just tourists from the U.S. and Canada. He said Puerto Rico and other islands in the customer base in the Lesser Antilles could support Nevis’ tourism and Seaborne’s service. “We’re doing marketing activities on those islands specifically,” he said.
