The soon to be commissioned, Boscobel Aerodrome, St. Mary, welcomed its first international flight on Friday (May 7).

The single engine private jet flew in from the Bahamas with singer/songwriter and businessman, Jimmy Buffet, of "Margaritaville" fame, being the first international passenger to be processed by customs and immigration officers at the upgraded facility.

On hand to welcome Mr. Buffet, was Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Olivia Grange. She was accompanied by Chris Blackwell of Island Outpost and representatives of the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ).

Miss Grange told media representatives that the occasion was "a happy one", and showed potential for more positive things happening in the Jamaican tourism sector.

"We could refer to this as a demonstration, which is a prelude to the official opening of the expanded and improved Boscobel Aerodrome, which will become an international facility," Miss Grange said.

Mr. Buffet, no stranger to the North Coast, said that he was elated to be the first person to get his passport stamped at the new Aerodrome.

"I have to say it was a thrill coming directly into Boscobel," he said after landing.

"The great thing about it is that I have been obviously coming here and happy to be a part of the Jamaican tourist business, with our restaurants and everything that we do here, but this just makes things so much easier," he explained.

He predicted that the ease of flying into the North Coast through the aerodrome would have a big effect on business in the area, and attract more people.

Miss Grange commended Mr. Blackwell on his invaluable contribution to the improvements and expansion of the Aerodrome, pointing out that the work on the facility was being done in record time.

"It is not just the success of the Jamaican Government. It is a great day and I just want to thank Jimmy Buffet, Chris Blackwell and the team for really making Jamaica proud and for opening up this facility to the world," she concluded.

The Boscobel Aerodrome is scheduled to be commissioned in July as Jamaica's third international airport.

Original Source: JIS