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Vacations saved by ‘extraordinary effort’
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By Dan Jones
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Tourism chiefs have hailed officials who ensured the majority of passengers booked on the inaugural flight from Munich to Bermuda – which was cancelled at the 11th hour – still jetted to the Island.
Tourism Minister Ewart Brown last night said their work was “exceptional”. And Mike Winfield, president of the Bermuda Hotel Association, praised an “extraordinary” effort by Bermuda tourism staff based in Europe.
Mr. Winfield said he understood the majority of Munich Air customers were re-routed and still landed in Bermuda at the weekend, despite the first full scheduled flight from Munich being pulled from the departure board at short notice. “Contacting the clients in a few hours was nothing short of extraordinary,” he told The Royal Gazette yesterday.
Tourism Minister Ewart Brown told the House of Assembly last week the flight was postponed because the German government opted to treat the Island as a non-EU destination, which required more paperwork. He said he deeply regretted the non-arrival of the plane.
Mr. Winfield said he understood that when tourism officials found out about the flight hitch they spent hours calling tour operators and customers – and made sure staff were at the airport to meet those who were not contacted. They also made travel arrangements, via London Gatwick with British Airways, for passengers still keen to fly to Bermuda.
“This was a mammoth task,” he added.
He said he believed arrangements were now being made with travel agents and tour operators to get in touch with tourists booked on the June 10, 17 and 24 flights on the proposed weekly Munich Air service. It is now due to start on July 1.
Mr. Winfield also praised Government and tourism officials for work done so far on establishing the Munich air link. And he said Germany was a crucial market for the Island, especially with misinformation in America about the impact of the hurricane season on Bermuda.
“A remarkable amount of publicity about Bermuda has been generated in the German market. The demand for Bermuda in Germany is considerable.” Despite the launch delay, Mr Winfield said once the weekly service finally takes off Bermuda was in “very good shape” in the German market.
The plane from Germany that was due to take off last Friday was understood to hold about 60 business class passengers. Tourism Minister Dr. Brown, announcing the cancellation on Friday, said it had been fully booked.
He said last night: “I agree with Mike Winfield that the work done by the Bermuda Department Of Tourism people in Munich was exceptional.
“Not only did they work quickly to get the passengers to rebook and still come to Bermuda but they pulled off spectacular events leading up to the planned departure.”
The Deputy Premier said the postponement of the flight was “disappointing” but added that he did not think it would impact on the future success of the venture. “I do not believe the success of the flight is endangered as I have been assured by our representatives in Munich that the bookings are still strong.
“The flight is set to start on July 1.”
Commenting on the decision that saw the Island classed as a non-EU destination, Dr. Brown said German officials were responsible for the classification.

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