BWIA West Indies Airways Limited employees gathered recently to celebrate a successful 61st year of operations and to usher in the Airline`s 62nd year at an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at its Piarco Head Office. The Service, which featured representatives from the Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Evangelical faiths, gave employees the opportunity to give thanks to God for among other things, BWIA`s unparalleled 61-year safety record in the airline industry. Citing scriptures of strength, courage and perseverance through difficult, uncertain times, Fr. Michael de Verteuil, Pundit Ravi Bharati, Mr. Nyeem Mohammed and Ms Natalie Smith, prayed for the Airline to have continued success, asking God to guide its management team in fulfilling the Company`s vision -“Renowned for Superior Customer Service, High Performance and Natural Caribbean Warmth”.

Staffers also offered praise for the achievement of a number of milestones
in the past year including:

- BWIA`s successful listing on the Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados stock exchanges, which represented a $9Million cash injection into the Company. The move also meant that BWIA has entered into the realm of other successful enterprises, where performance is measured by the marketplace and the Company`s ability to deliver results.
- BWIA`s record breaking July and August, registering the highest incidents of reliable service, delivery, revenue and profitability for similar periods in years past.

- The introduction of modern, elegant uniforms for staff

- The commencement of non-stop flights from New York to Georgetown

- Relocation to a brand new terminal at Piarco Airport

- The opening of a state-of-the-art call center at Sunjet House, and
more recently
- The securing of two contracts with Air France to represent the airline
and handle their aircraft.

Speaking at the Ceremony, BWIA`s President and Chief Executive Officer Conrad Aleong commented on the September 11th tragedy in the United States, “As men and women, we have plans, aspirations and designs. But often despite the best plans, we need to turn to the Almighty to see us through such a tragedy. We must keep the faith and put ourselves in His care.”

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