The Delta pink plane parked at Sangster International.

WESTERN BUREAU:

Delta Airlines has flown its special-edition pink plane to the tourist hub Montego Bay in its bid to give moral and other support to cancer survivors and the Jamaica Cancer Society.

To boost public education, Delta partnered with the Jamaica Cancer Society to introduce the pink plane to the island, timed to coincide with the October observation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"We have partnered with the Jamaica Cancer Society to increase the awareness of breast cancer here in Jamaica, and also to get the community involved in breast cancer research and offer the Jamaica breast cancer society the support," said Richard Pile, Delta's regional district sales manager.

Inaugural flight

He was speaking at a ceremony to welcome the inaugural flight of Delta's pink plane at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay on Tuesday.

The plane has been in operation for four years and has travelled to Nicaragua, Central and South America, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas and domestic destinations in the United States.

Since its inception, the pink plane has amassed nearly US$1 million from the sales of pink lemonade aboard the flights. The proceeds from this initiative go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to aid the search for a cure.

While Delta does not have a specific monetary milestone, Pile explained that its main goal is to "increase the awareness and to get corporate Jamaica and citizens more involved with the Jamaica Cancer Society as we support them as a team".

Carol Blair, executive director of the Jamaica Cancer Society, expressed great excitement at Delta's decision to fly the pink plane to Jamaica for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

To increase awareness

"It is the relationship and the opportunity to increase awareness about breast cancer that is very important to us, and so we're very delighted to be here this morning," said Blair, who was presented with a replica of the plane.

Rosie Johnson, regional director of the Jamaica Tourist Board, also hailed the move, saying that it would not only benefit cancer victims and boost awareness, but was also good for business.

Many of the shops inside the airport stocked their shelves with pink items and gave discounts to customers in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Regional director of airport customer service in Latin America and the Caribbean, Charisse Evans (left), and executive director of the Jamaica Cancer Society, Carol Blair, hold a replica of the pink plane which was presented to Blair, marking the inaugural flight of the pink plane to Jamaica at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. - photos by denise reid