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The Daily News Of The Virgin Islands
Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas County, Virgin Islands
What is this article about?
The jet age arrives in the Virgin Islands with Pan-American's inaugural Clipper jet from New York landing in St. Croix on Saturday, greeted by Gov. Paiewonsky and officials. First scheduled flights from Miami begin Sunday, with twice-weekly service; return flights start Monday. Airport runway extended 600 feet for jets, cutting Miami flight time to three hours.
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The first jet to fly from the Virgin Islands to the mainland took off from Alexander Hamilton Field, St. Croix, yesterday, completing the first cycle of the arrival of the jet age to the islands.
Actually, the jet age was ushered in Saturday afternoon on the wings of a Pan-American Clipper jetliner direct from New York City.
At the St. Croix airport to greet the giant passenger aircraft was Gov. Ralph M. Paiewonsky, other government officials, aviation authorities and civic leaders.
While in St. Croix, the governor and his party took part in the dedication ceremonies of the new pier at Frederiksted.
The first scheduled flight from the states arrived Sunday night from Miami via San Juan. Service will continue twice weekly from Miami, due to arrive in St. Croix at 8:05 p.m. every Sunday and Thursday.
Pan-American jets will leave St. Croix for Miami every Monday and Friday at noon with a brief stopover in San Juan.
Saturday's inaugural flight was originally intended to go from New York City to Antigua.
But because of the significance of the start of jet service to the Virgin Islands it was diverted from its original destination.
Though jet service will be limited to flights between Miami and St. Croix for the present, Pan-American hopes to also launch scheduled service direct from New York City in the future.
However, this must wait until additional ramp work is completed at Alexander Hamilton Airport and better fueling facilities are provided.
To accommodate jet craft, 600 feet were added to the 6,200-foot long landing strip at the St. Croix field. The already existing portion of the strip also had to
be considerably strengthened to handle the heavier and more powerful planes.
Jet service will cut the flying time to the islands to three hours from Miami, a Pan-American spokesman said.
When direct service is instituted from New York City, estimated flying time will be four hours.
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Event Date
Saturday Afternoon, Sunday Night, Yesterday
Key Persons
Outcome
successful inauguration of jet service; runway extended by 600 feet and strengthened; flight time from miami reduced to three hours, from new york to four hours when direct service starts.
Event Details
Pan-American Clipper jetliner arrived direct from New York City on Saturday afternoon, greeted by officials including Gov. Paiewonsky. First scheduled flight from Miami via San Juan arrived Sunday night. Twice-weekly service from Miami Sundays and Thursdays at 8:05 p.m.; departures Mondays and Fridays at noon to Miami via San Juan. Inaugural flight diverted from Antigua for significance to Virgin Islands. Future direct New York service pending airport improvements.