ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Governor Albert Bryan Jr. is celebrating the launch of new United Airlines nonstop service between Newark Liberty International Airport and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, calling the route another major achievement in the Bryan-Roach Administration’s comprehensive effort to expand airlift throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands, strengthen tourism, and create new economic opportunities for residents and businesses.
The new service, which begins Saturday, represents the latest success in a multi-year strategy that has focused on building strong partnerships with airlines, hotels, and tourism stakeholders to increase seat capacity and improve access to the Territory’s key visitor markets.
Since taking office, the Bryan-Roach Administration has aggressively pursued air service growth through targeted tourism investments, cooperative marketing initiatives, and direct engagement with airline partners. These efforts have helped secure new routes, expand existing service, and diversify transportation options throughout the Territory, including partnerships with carriers such as Contour Airlines, which recently introduced direct service between St. Thomas and St. Maarten, further strengthening regional connectivity.
“The launch of this new United route is exactly the kind of result we envisioned when we made airlift expansion a central pillar of our economic development strategy,” Governor Bryan said. “Tourism remains the backbone of our economy, and increasing access to St. Croix and the Virgin Islands creates opportunities for our hotels, restaurants, attractions, small businesses, and working families.”
The addition of Newark service is particularly significant because it strengthens the Territory’s connection to one of its most important visitor markets: the Northeast United States.
Recognizing the value of that market, Governor Bryan has personally championed efforts to raise the Virgin Islands’ visibility among northeastern travelers, initiating a strategic marketing partnership between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the New York Jets organization.
The partnership is designed to increase awareness of the Virgin Islands as a premier travel destination throughout the Northeast corridor and support demand for additional airlift to the Territory through targeted branding and promotional campaigns.
Saturday’s inaugural service also carries special significance for St. Croix because the flights will be operated by four Crucian pilots, transforming a major transportation milestone into a powerful homecoming celebration.
According to United Airlines, Flight UAL 1409 from Newark to St. Croix will be piloted by Captain Shawn Lewis and First Officer Eugene Washington, while Flight UAL 1410 from St. Croix to Newark will be piloted by Captain Douglas Armstrong and First Officer Regine Acosta. The inaugural flight arrives at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport at 1:20 p.m. on Saturday.
Governor Bryan said the participation of four Crucians in the inaugural service underscores the talent and determination that exist throughout the Virgin Islands.
“Nothing could better symbolize the progress of our Territory than watching Crucians bring this historic flight home,” Governor Bryan said. “While we are creating new opportunities through expanded tourism and economic growth, these pilots demonstrate what is possible when Virgin Islanders pursue their dreams and represent our islands on the national stage.”
First Officer Regine Acosta is a St. Croix native whose aviation journey began through the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals in the Virgin Islands before eventually joining United Airlines. Her return to St. Croix aboard the inaugural flight represents what she describes as a full-circle moment after pursuing a career inspired by her early exposure to aviation in the Territory.
Captain Shawn Lewis, another St. Croix native, built a distinguished aviation career that included service with Seaborne Airlines and leadership within Caribbean aviation before becoming a Boeing 737 captain.
The Bryan-Roach Administration noted that the new route provides an important gateway between St. Croix and one of the nation’s busiest aviation hubs, creating greater convenience for visitors and residents alike while supporting continued growth in the Territory’s tourism sector.
“As we continue expanding our reach into key markets and strengthening our airline partnerships, we remain focused on creating a world-class visitor experience and ensuring that the benefits of tourism growth are felt throughout our community,” Governor Bryan said. “This new route is another major step forward for St. Croix and the entire Virgin Islands.”
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