First Officer Tevin Goodridge DaSilva wrote his name in the history books on Wednesday as he became the first Vincentian-born male to pilot an American Airlines flight to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
According to Loop News, DaSilva, who landed at the Argyle International Airport, was welcomed by the Caribbean nation’s Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves and other officials. He was also given tokens as a gift to commemorate the milestone.
DaSilva said he asked to be part of the flight crew after he became aware of the trip about one month ago. He also said the icing on the cake is going to be the return trip as his mother and kid sister will be his passengers on that flight for the first time.
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“It’s a great feeling to know today I can help her back in the same way she’s helped me,” DaSilva said about his mother. “Although it isn’t E T Joshua Airport it still is an amazing honor to get the opportunity to come full circle and fly back into my land where it all started.”
The Argyle International Airport also congratulated DaSilva for making history. In 2023, Rochell Roache-Lanza similarly made history when she became the first female American Airlines pilot of Vincentian heritage to land at the Argyle International Airport.
The plane she piloted was welcomed with a water salute after landing, and Dr Gonsalves similarly lauded her achievement, Loop News reported.
“It’s a moment of great pride for the country. It may appear to be a small thing but it is of great symbolic significance,” Dr Gonsalves told NBC Radio St Vincent and the Grenadines. “You have this major international carrier with someone from St Vincent and the Grenadines being a pilot. But in this case it is a woman. A young lady who is very accomplished and experienced”
