A Bermudian has been promoted to captain at island airline BermudAir, a key milestone for the pilot and the company.

Tariq Lynch-Wade, the airline’s first and only Bermudian pilot, was promoted to captain last week and operated his first flight in command on Friday, the carrier announced.

Mr Lynch-Wade captained flight 2T302 from Boston to Bermuda and on his return home to the island, colleagues, staff, family and friends gathered to congratulate him and celebrate the occasion.

The airline said his promotion marked the culmination of extensive training, hard work, and dedication, and is an especially proud moment for BermudAir as the airline continues to create opportunities for Bermudians to build careers in aviation.

Mr Lynch-Wade also joins fellow colleagues and training partners Bayron Rivera and Angara Ranasinghe, who recently completed their command upgrades to captain.

Adam Scott, founder and chief executive of BermudAir, said Friday’s milestone was an “incredibly proud” day for the airline.

Mr Scott said: “Seeing Tariq take the left seat as captain is exactly the kind of milestone we hoped to achieve when we started this journey.

“He has worked tremendously hard to reach this point and we could not be more proud of him.

“This moment is bigger than one flight or one promotion. We hope it shows young Bermudians that there is a place for them in aviation, whether in the flight deck, engineering, operations, customer service or any of the many careers that keep an airline moving.

“We want BermudAir to help create those opportunities right here at home.”

Mr Lynch-Wade said the milestone is one he cherished.

He said: “Being entrusted by the company and ultimately, my community to be the captain on my flights ahead is an honour and responsibility that I take seriously.

“I recall watching aeroplanes as a young boy behind the gate on Kindley Field Road. I'm overwhelmed with the notion that now as a captain of a Bermuda-based airline, the fence no longer represents a barrier for young Bermudians.

“I hope that by reaching this milestone, it not only helps to fuel their dreams, but it provides them with tangible proof that no dream is impossible if you want it and work for it.”

His first day in command was welcomed by those closest to him and his BermudAir colleagues on hand to recognise the achievement and welcome him home, the airline said.