Premier Ewart Brown congratulated JetBlue Airways on their "digs" at the opening of their new passenger terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Along with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and JetBlue CEO Dave Barger, Premier Brown was on-hand to see the $743 million terminal, T5, open on Monday

JetBlue began its service to Bermuda in 2006 and now handles about 30 percent of JFK's traffic and 17 percent of that is to its Caribbean destinations and Bermuda.

Premier Brown said the airline had provided reliable and affordable service to the Island and wished them well.

"JetBlue has provided the people of Bermuda and our visitors a reliable and dependable service since 2006. That service has also been affordable — something for which we are particularly grateful," he said.

"We consider the people of this company to be our friends. With that said it is truly a pleasure to be here today to wish our friends well.

"Well done JetBlue and congratulations on your new digs."

Mr. Barger, who introduced the Premier, said that there was no other leader more involved in efforts to bring his airline to their country.

"No leader was more personally involved in the effort to bring JetBlue to their country than Dr. Brown," he said.