Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Historic: All VI cockpit crew on American Airlines

- VI pilots Kennard de Castro & Alvason Davies share cockpit on AA Airbus for first time today, Nov 16, 2020
Some aviation history was created for the [British] Virgin Islands today, Monday, November 16, 2020, when Virgin Islands’ pilots Kennard de Castro and Alvason Davies aka ‘Lex’ shared a cockpit of an American Airlines airbus. Photo: Kennard de Castro/Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), who shared that Captain Kennard de Castro was his classmate, extended congratulations to the Virgin Islands’ pilots de Castro and Alvason Davies aka ‘Lex’ on their historic achievement. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), who shared that Captain Kennard de Castro was his classmate, extended congratulations to the Virgin Islands’ pilots de Castro and Alvason Davies aka ‘Lex’ on their historic achievement. Photo: VINO/File
American Airlines pilot and Virgin Islanders Kennard de Castro, right, seen here with fellow Virgin Islander and American Airlines staff, Ms Trisha Grant in Washington DC in September 2018. Photo: Kennard de Castro/Facebook
American Airlines pilot and Virgin Islanders Kennard de Castro, right, seen here with fellow Virgin Islander and American Airlines staff, Ms Trisha Grant in Washington DC in September 2018. Photo: Kennard de Castro/Facebook
MIAMI, Florida, USA- Some aviation history was created for the [British] Virgin Islands today, Monday, November 16, 2020, when Virgin Islands’ pilots Kennard de Castro and Alvason Davies aka ‘Lex’ shared a cockpit of an American Airlines airbus.

The piece of history was gleefully shared by Captain de Castro on his Facebook page.

‘A big deal’

“So this is happening today. To the best of my knowledge there are only 3 pilots from the British Virgin Islands employed at American Airlines. Only 2 of us are airbus pilots. Today is the first time in history that American Airlines (or any other US airline) has had an all BVI cockpit crew.

“Not a big deal if you are not from the BVI but it’s a really big deal to us. Captain Kennard de Castro and first officer Alvason ‘Lex’ Davies. We’ve known each other for over 30 years,” Captain de Castro, who is in the habit of greeting and taking photos of Virgin Islanders he meets on his commercial flights, wrote.

Captain de Castro’s post was then shared on various social media platforms, affording persons the opportunity to offer their congratulations and encouragement.

One of the proud Virgin Islanders commenting on the historic achievement was Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), who shared that Captain de Castro was his classmate.

‘A little country doing big things’- Premier Fahie

“A little country doing big things. GOD IS WITH US! CONGRATULATIONS to both, especially my classmate and friend Kennard! We're on our way to bigger things locally and worldwide.”

Premier Fahie added that indeed, BVILOVE is our people making their mark everywhere in the world.

“Today, I am especially proud as Premier of the Virgin Islands to see Virgin Islanders soaring like eagles in the sky taking passengers safely to their destinations. Kudos to Captain Kennard de Castro who is the son of the late Walter Lindy de Castro aka Ras Uhuru and first officer Alvason Davies better known as “Lex”, both Virgin Islanders.

Proud moment for VI

“Today, November 16 they have made history as an all BVI cockpit crew on American Airlines. May God continue to bless our pilots as they share BVILOVE as they fly people from destinations to jurisdictions. BVILOVE is our pilots. We here at home are all proud,” Hon Fahie wrote on his Facebook page.

It should be noted that Mr de Castro’s late father, Mr Walter Lindy de Castro, was a civil engineer, activist and a founding member of the Positive Action Movement.

28 Responses to “Historic: All VI cockpit crew on American Airlines”

  • Ghost (16/11/2020, 18:50) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a beautiful story.. a testament that any dream can be achieved.. yay!!!!..I pray that God continue to watch over them keeping them safe in the skies - All pilots..
  • 2 grand (16/11/2020, 19:20) Like (41) Dislike (0) Reply
    wow big up to 2 sons of the soil.yes indeed you are stars. i personally remembered kennard as a young boy at the beef island airport now terrance b lettsome int airport taking flying lessons in a cessna 172?. his father ras uhuru would be with him.flying was in his dna and acted the part like a professional pilot at that tender age. confident and some what cocky.i was employed with air bvi and he once asked me what i was paid and after i told him his reply was u working for peanuts LOl. wonder where he was all those years and now i see the fruits of his labour and dedication. peace and blessings 2 both of you
    • 1st District (17/11/2020, 09:21) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      A slap in the face to BVI. Big education, talent and experience deserves good pay and respect. All the politicians want to do is THIEF OUR MONEY AND BAD SPEND IT FOR THEMSELVES . Leaving our generations to abort the BVI for better and the remainder of us to stay here for mediocre pay and treatment. As a proud parent of US national, they are shining stars and fine where they are!
  • strupz (16/11/2020, 19:52) Like (3) Dislike (13) Reply
    Only now ! Welcome usa / bvi citizens
    Think was the cure for covid .
  • Pam Romney (16/11/2020, 19:52) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yay Kenard
  • Proud (16/11/2020, 20:20) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    I hope this inspires young aviators in the BVI, not to give up on your dreams. Their is a group of young men willing to be in these guys shoes, but govt don’t look at aviation as a preferred career like drs, lawyers and finance. Look at how the airport Authority is running, the staff on the front lines are unappreciated.
  • So Proud! (16/11/2020, 20:29) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    So proud of these guys!
  • Tell us (16/11/2020, 20:45) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    So who is the parent 's of the other pilot. ?
    • Talley (16/11/2020, 23:45) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      His mother and father.
      • Gospel Sense (17/11/2020, 08:55) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
        Yes his parent "RIEP" Haldane & Rosita Davies,
        Patriarch and Matriarch of these beloved VI.
        Would be smiling from ear to ear, as we say.

        Blessings Always..
  • taxpayer (16/11/2020, 21:42) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great! God bless you both
  • VG (16/11/2020, 22:13) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Good going Lex...boy I always told you, that you are living my dream and we always spoke about aviation whenever you came to Virgin Gorda. You always encouraged me to follow it. We last spoke on the ferry to St. Thomas over a year ago, when you told me that you loved to fly the Airbus Aircrafts... the BVI never really pushed scholarships for pilots or we would have so many persons here flying our own national airline..I don't know the other pilot but I am equally proud of both of you. Keep safe guys and I know that you all are loving it.
    • ATC Crew (17/11/2020, 16:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Lexus, This is you're number one fan... You doing big things ...great things.. You always loved flying and pursued it.... now you're living your dreams. Proud of you both. Big ups to Kenard also. You guys are simply "the best". I pray God's blessings and hands of protection on you both as you traverse the skies together. What I love most about this story is that I know it will inspire a lot of young BVIslanders to pursue careers in Aviation.
  • Thoughtful Sailor (16/11/2020, 22:19) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    It's a great story about great people, but must the Premier keep working BVI LOVE into everything? It's a silly slogan, in the first place, and out of place in this and many other cases.
    • Nice (17/11/2020, 09:52) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Proud BVI moment.

      Only the miserable will fit in a negative comment here. Petty and hateful much. We will pray for you blogger.
      ONEBVILOVE
  • Tafari Zharr (16/11/2020, 22:43) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    “Turtle Doves in the Sky...Nice ...This is one of the most awesomeness feel good thang and of course a dynamic-duo’d “aeronautical” phoneme; it’s a rarity. Thanks for sharing Capts. - great for reflection and hope!
  • please (16/11/2020, 22:50) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    That BVILOVE Slogan is so silly and not a good fit at all...
  • Pure & Simple (17/11/2020, 04:13) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Surely a proud moment but is that a BVI flag?
    • lots of Sense (17/11/2020, 09:01) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      I believe it is.
      If my memory serve me right the Red field is for Ships and Aircraft
      while the Blue is for Buildings and Inland use. I stand to be corrected.
      Blessings Always..
  • PT009 (17/11/2020, 07:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who is the other pilot?
  • Mauricia (17/11/2020, 08:47) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have been hearing so much bad news for the past week. This is absolutely wonderful news to hear, congratulations to both of you on this achievement. Good going Lex, I know your wife, son and the whole Davis family at East End are proud of you and so am I. God be praise, keep your head high and remember in all things continue to put HIM first.
  • BVISLANDER, US (17/11/2020, 08:59) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations guys. Very proud of you.
  • hey (17/11/2020, 10:22) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wonderful news. BVIslanders excel even when abroad.
  • Mindful (17/11/2020, 16:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats to the two young men. Let us also remember there was another local person piloting commercially long before - David (crokkie) Fonseca.
  • @ Mindful (17/11/2020, 18:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is also another local pilot who is the son of Vivian Durant of Peter Island and Clarissa George of Long Look. A brother of Lutia Durant.
  • Lilly (18/11/2020, 14:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is also Derick Varlack, so there are a few well.
  • Tafari Zharr (19/11/2020, 12:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    To name a few other men: Wheatley, Fonseca, Flax, Black, Herbert, Braithwaites.

    Time for women to level up


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.