The British Virgin Islands became a part of a historic journey on Thursday September 1, as it welcomed 19-year-old pilot Zara Rutherford to the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, as she aims to become the youngest woman to fly solo around the world.
This was confirmed via a media release from the Office of the Premier yesterday, which said Rutherford overnighted in the territory and will be departing today, as she heads to other Caribbean Islands.
She departed Belgium on August 18 this year and has since flown throughout the United Kingdom, Iceland, Greenland, Canada and the United States.
Junior Minister for Tourism Honourable Sharie de Castro welcomed the young pilot and presented her with a gift from the BVI Tourist Board.
De Castro said, “On behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands, I had the distinct pleasure of welcoming a brave, independent and awe-inspiring young woman to our shores…I believe that Zara is an example to young people across the Virgin Islands.”
She added, “Her journey is proof that no dream is too grand or unreachable. If you can imagine it, it’s possible. Young girls can pattern this bold move as an example of not being limited to stereotypical gender roles but rather take charge and pursue their own passions. Zara’s goal in flying around the world is to make history but most importantly to close the gender gap in aviation.”
The Junior Minister further added that in making the Virgin Islands a stop on her journey, Rutherford has once again proven that the BVI is a destination of choice for travelers.
“The people and Government of the Virgin Islands are excited and pleased that today Zara gets to experience BVILOVE,” she said.
Ms. Rutherford said she was briefly in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos before landing in the Virgin Islands. She said she chose to stop in the territory during her journey because of the beauty of the islands.
“I think it is such a beautiful destination. I really wanted to stop somewhere in the Caribbean islands, and the BVI just stood out,” she explained.
Ms. Rutherford says that her next stop is Colombia.
For more information on her journey, persons can visit her website https://flyzolo.com/.