23 December 2010 Hola! What a great party – both of them.  To celebrate the first of our weekly non-stop flights now available to Cuba departing from Hamilton Airport, we surprised our passengers with a great Cuban-themed party.

Our passengers and guests celebrated the new service at two welcome receptions held in our departures lounge. We set the mood and enjoyed the tropical sounds of Steve Perez on his steel drums while serving up chilled Cuban mojitos and margarita “mocktails.” One table featured four tiers of stunning Cuban-themed cupcakes topped with chocolate cigars, seashells and fish, and tropical flowers. Each cupcake was a delicious work of art. Our centrepiece featured a spectacular “suitcase” cake complete with chocolate passport, orchids, Cuban cigars and butterflies. It looked almost too real to eat. We thank Golden Girlz Unique Cake design for their creative genius 

Joining in on the festivities was Tessandra Toste from Hola Sun who was thrilled to see so many people taking advantage of the new flights out of Hamilton. Belma Gurdil-Diamonte, CEO of the Canadian Ballet Youth Ensemble, who played a key role in connecting us with our Hola Sun partners, also joined us to celebrate. Richard Koroscil, CEO of Hamilton International joined many other airport staff to wish passengers a safe and wonderful holiday.

I was able to walk around a little and talk to people who were excited to start their holiday to Cuba. I spoke with people from as far away from north Toronto to Windsor and heard so many great comments about Hamilton International Airport – how convenient and hassle free the airport is, and how friendly the security and staff are. They told me they preferred Hamilton Airport over some of the other airports, even though they may have been closer, because how easy it is to travel from here. I spoke to one family who said estimated that they saved $300 by flying to Cuba from Hamilton by not having to get a hotel room and pay for expensive parking.  We even had one group of 16 who had come all the way from Whitby!

Passengers loved the energy of the celebration. They commented on what a wonderful surprise the party was and how it put them into the holiday spirit. One of the best things about Hamilton Airport is that you can start your holiday before you depart. Before embarking, each person received a Hamilton Airport beach ball so they were well equipped to “have a ball” on their vacation. People work really hard all year so it was very gratifying for me to send so many people safely on their holidays and know that we played a part in making their vacation a little more enjoyable. Buen viaje!

Watch the clip: http://newscliptv.com/videos/3316.html

See the photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/59045311@N08/sets/72157625962032856/

Adrianne Sprogis, Hamilton International Airport