Delta flights home for US nationals - Royal Gazette

Jonathan Bell

Published Mar 21, 2020 at 10:19 am (Updated Mar 21, 2020 at 1:01 pm)

Four relief flights for American citizens to evacuate Bermuda have been organised from today until Tuesday, the tourism and transport ministry announced today.

Delta Air Lines will fly between LF Wade International and Atlanta, Georgia, after negotiations that involved the Bermuda Government, airport operators Skyport and the United States Consulate.

Constance Dierman, the US Consul General, said that Delta flight 656 will leave Bermuda at 3.45pm for Atlanta and arrive at 6.10pm on all four days.

She said about 8,000 Americans live in Bermuda and 9.1 million in total live overseas.

Ms Dierman added: “US citizens who normally live in the United States and are visiting Bermuda should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain on the island for an indefinite period.

“Additionally, US citizens who live in Bermuda should avoid international travel.”

Although the trips have been set up for US nationals, the public will be notified if opportunities for Bermudian students and residents in the US to return home are available.

A spokesman for the tourism and transport ministry said flight crews arriving from Atlanta will remain on board the planes when they are on the tarmac.

Zane DeSilva, the tourism and transport minister, said the situation in the US “mirrors that of Canada, with many nationals stranded outside their home country and unable to secure a flight back home”.

US nationals who want to return can book a seat on the flights at Delta.com or by using the FlyDelta app.

Delta warned there were “very long waits” for telephone bookings.

Ms Dierman said the US Consulate had fielded “a moderately low volume of calls and e-mails?from Americans requesting information about their options”.

She added: “Many are following information posted on websites, social media, and government announcements.

“The Government of Bermuda has?been working around the clock to provide as much information as possible to the public about Covid-19.

“The protective measures that have been put in place help protect all those in Bermuda from the spread of the virus.”

Ms Dierman said: “I’d like to extend my sincere gratitude to the many Government officials, health professionals, immigration officers, and private citizens who have been working together around the clock to address Covid-19 to ensure the health and safety of all in Bermuda.”

She added Americans should sign up for the Smart Traveller Enrolment Programme to get security updates at https://step.state.gov/

The Consulate also posts regular updates on its website at bm.usconsulate.gov and social media sites Facebook.com/usconshamilton and twitter.com/usconshamilton.

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