That was an announcement made by Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE at the Sixth Sitting of the Second Session of the Second House of Assembly today February 12, 2013.

This has been regarded as a new development in the tourism sector, in addition to Seaborne Airlines set to launch its first interline programme with American Airlines tomorrow Wednesday, February 12, 2013. “This interline programme will indeed be a major accomplishment for Seaborne Airlines and by extension for the BVI and our visitors and residents alike. It will be a great boost for our tourism effort,”said the Hon. Premier.

Hon. Smith noted that interlining will also mean that Seaborne will be able to issue boarding passes on American Airline flights. Additionally, just a few days after launch, Seaborne flights will be listed on American Airlines primary distribution network, AA.com in forty countries around the globe. This will essentially make it possible for visitors to book Seaborne to the VI from anywhere in the world via the American SABRE reservations system, Google’s reservations system, Travelocity, Expedia and Hotwire, which are some of the biggest players in the online travel agency space.

The Premier also said Seaborne expects to enter into a code-share programme with American Airlines by April 1, 2013 which will allow American Airlines to sell Seaborne Airlines flights using AA code and flight number. The benefits will include: One stop reservation and ticketing, the ability to book baggage to final destination, pre-reserve seats and earn frequent “AAdvantage Miles”.

“Madam Speaker, I am also very pleased to inform this Honourable House that American Airlines has also recently expanded its code-share agreement with Cape Air to now include flights between San Juan and the TB Lettsome International Airport, effective April 1, 2013. Like Seaborne, this agreement will make it far easier for visitors globally booking flights to the BVI. Cape Air is currently operating six daily flights to the BVI and from our discussions with the carrier they are willing to expand this based on demand,” Premier Smith said.

Further, on March 1, the VI-based airline VI Air Link will begin service from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Tortola with a new flight schedule to include three daily flights, seven days a week transporting passengers on a Cessna 402 and a Beechcraft Kingair A100, both nine-seater planes. The company also plans to incorporate a Beechcraft 1900, carrying up to 19 passengers in the near future. VI Air Link will offer service to Virgin Gorda, and daily flights to Anegada, Premier Smith added.

The airline joins Air Sunshine and LIAT by providing flights between the Terrence B. Lettsome Airport on Tortola and St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport.

The work is said to be at a very advanced stage with regards to the resumption of a scheduled Seaplane service into North Sound, Virgin Gorda, which will go a long way towards meeting the demand for additional direct seat capacity into Virgin Gorda.