All Things Travel: International Airlines Begin Service In Boston, Providence
BOSTON (CBS) – Two new international airlines, two different airports in New England and two different ways to welcome the new service took place this week.
On Tuesday morning, AeroMexico hosted a breakfast reception at Boston's upscale Intercontinental Hotel to officially launch their new non-stop flights to Mexico City.
That night, T.F. Green Airport in Providence hosted a crowd of officials at their Federal Tavern as flights began to Cabo Verde Islands on TACV Airlines began.
Providence is the only U.S. city with direct airline service to the islands located off the west coast of Africa. Over the summer months there will be three weekly round-trip flights.
At the Boston event, speakers included Daniel Hernandez Joseph, Consulate General of Mexico; Anko van der Werff, AeroMexico's Chief Revenue Officer; Pat Moscaritolo, President, Greater Boston Convention & Visitor's Bureau and Massport CEO Tom Glynn.
In Rhode Island the speakers were headed by Gov. Gina Raimondo, TACV Chief Operating Officer Erik De and U.S. Ambassador to Cabo Verde Donald Heflin.
The settings themselves could not have been more different.
At the hotel, it was juice and pastries in the morning. At Green, it was wine and a buffet for the invited guests. There was a band playing local Cabo Verde songs.
TACV will attract tourists and strong regional ethnic market from three surrounding states. AeroMexico estimates the market between Boston and Mexico City to be almost 500,000 passengers and $135 million in revenue.
It should be noted that TACV put out a very good mailing piece to promote its new service. It not only promoted the islands, but also said how passengers could reach Green Airport by car, MBTA train and Peter Pan Bus.
Green Airport has more good news this month. On June 18, Candor Airlines will begin flights to Germany. Logan Airport welcomes El AL.
International flights continue to be the fastest passenger growth area for New England airports.
Bob Weiss reports on business travel on Mondays at 5:55 a.m. on WBZ NewsRadio 1030.
