American Airlines has expressed its appreciation for its close, 30-year partnership with Bermuda. “American Airlines has been a terrific partner with Bermuda, having served us well and faithfully for 30 years,” said Dr. the Hon. Ewart Brown, Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport of Bermuda.

“American has made major contributions to Bermuda tourism, to our economy, and to our institutions, and we look forward to a continued strong relationship.”

John Lisiewski, Manager of Atlantic, Caribbean and Latin American Sales for American, presented Dr. Brown with a model of an American Airlines Boeing 757 aircraft with a plaque bearing the inscription:

“In appreciation to the Bermuda Department of Tourism for the opportunity to provide 30 years of continuous service to Bermuda.”

The presentation took place last night at New York’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

American has served Bermuda consistently since September 1975.

The airline currently offers two daily non-stop flights to Bermuda from New York’s JFK Airport, plus three flights a week from Miami, inaugurated in March 2005. The JFK flights depart from American’s beautiful new Terminal 9 at JFK. Beginning in 2000 through 2005, American Airlines flew 511,100 passengers to and from Bermuda.

Bermuda-bound travelers on American from JFK will have access to another amenity later this month. US Helicopter will initiate service from the Manhattan Downtown Heliport direct to American’s Concourse C at the new terminal. Passengers will check baggage and clear security at the Heliport, arriving at the new terminal ready to board their flights.

The US Helicopter service should be a welcome feature for executives representing—and visiting—Bermuda’s significant insurance and financial sectors. American also offers Business ExtrAA, a special program tailored to the needs of business, which is very popular with Bermuda companies.

For tourists, of course, Bermuda is esteemed as a serene vacation spot nestled in a sparkling blue-green sea. The beaches are creamy white flecked with pink, the trees are a variety of lush greens, pink oleander, and vines tumble over limestone walls. Add to this the variety of land and water activities, a range of restaurants, excellent buys on European fine china, woolens and perfumes, and it’s clear why so many visitors return to this magical island year after year.

American Airlines’ fares to Bermuda are fully competitive both with other network airlines and with discount carriers.

But American’s relationship with Bermuda is much more than as an air carrier. American is a key participant in Bermuda’s economic and cultural life, supporting a number of organizations and charities. For example, American has partnered with the Bermuda Heart Association; the Bermuda Tuberculosis, Cancer and Health Association; the Bermuda Red Cross and Police Athletic Leagues.

American also has made it a practice to adopt a school every year, and assists that school with fund raising. For 2005, American adopted Sandy’s Middle School in Bermuda. The airline also supports Bermuda’s Physical Abuse Center, donating the proceeds from its Christmas Party Raffle to the Center.

“It has been American Airlines’ pleasure and our honor to support Bermuda’s tourism industry and business community for the past 30 years,” Lisiewski said. “We are looking forward to another 30 years of support and cooperation with this wonderful country.”
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