Flying for Kosovo

Flying over the second country on the mission has been breathtaking. Looking out over the tropical forests of this beautiful land, with the Caribbean Sea to the East, gives me a feeling of great hope for our mission.

Belize is the first country on our agenda that has already formally accepted Kosovo’s independence. This small nation in Central America has won my heart by respecting our liberty. By doing so, they have chosen to accept Kosovo into the greater family of nations. I am blessed to be able to be here to thank them personally, on behalf of my family and fellow countrymen. I do just that with the media here, who admit great surprise upon learning how much Kosova’s people appreciate their little country.

Belize is truly a beautiful country. Despite being right in the line of several devastating hurricanes, the people here have managed to maintain a friendly and laid-back style. I would enjoy any chance to visit here again and wish that I was able to spend much more time learning about the diverse and vibrant culture that I have experienced.

It feels great to be on my way down here in Mexico. This country has offered me a comfortable substitute for home for the past five years. As a pilot, I have been very fortunate to fly Lear jets down here weekly and have encountered many fascinating and picturesque locations in this beautiful country. The food and the culture have helped remind me of home as well.

I’m already receiving lots of press down here, thanks to my new hero Sergio Cuadros from TV Mexiquense. Within a few short hours he had five television stations lined up to show support and learn more about our mission. I also want to thank the people of Mexico for supporting our independence – they are far ahead of their government’s recognition of Kosovo so far.

I am also grateful my new friends – Noa Rocha from Radio Zacatecas, his brother Arturo and family and a very inspirational man, Alfonso ‘Totto’ Gina from Misantla, Veracruz. I am blessed to learn about such amazing human beings in this world. Totto’s proverbs are timeless and his effect on me will not be lost. It is not often that you meet someone that triggers you to view the world from a different perspective. I am left feeling that more people should live their lives as honestly as he.

Finally, to my friends at El Diario newspaper in El Paso, TX and Cuidad Juarez, Mexico – you have been such a support to me and were instrumental in encourage me to start this mission. Thank you for helping me change history!

Here is the completed list of Cities scheduled for the trip. These destinations are subject to change, and expect some of them to change in the coming weeks. James will have to decide the next destination based on many factors like weather and airport service availability. These locations correspond with the markers on the interactive map we have on the front page of the site. Check the “Current Location” section of the site to see the status of the trip.

CITY, Country, ICAO Airport Code

1. El Paso, USA , KELP
2. Chihuahua, Mexico , MMCU
3. Torreon, Mexico , MMTC
4. Zacatecas, Mexico , MMZC
5. Toluca, Mexico , MMTO
6. Veracruz, Mexico , MMVR
7. Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico , MMTG
8. Belize City, Belize , MZBZ
9. Guatemala, Guatemala , MGGT
10. San Salvador, El Salvador , MSLP
11. Tegucigalpa, Honduras , TRPA
12. Managua, Nicaragua , MNMG
13. San Jose, Costa Rica , MROC
14. Panama City, Panama , MPMG
15. Pereira, Colombia , SKPE
16. Bogota, Colombia , SKBO
17. Cali, Colombia , SKCL
18. Quito, Ecuador , SEQU
19. Tumbes, Peru , SPME
20. Trujillo, Peru , SPRU
21. Lima, Peru , SPIM
22. Nazca, Peru , SPZA
23. Tacna, Peru , SPTN
24. Arica, Chile , SCAR
25. Antofagasta, Chile , SCFA
26. Copiapo, Chile , SCHA
27. La Serena, Chile , SCSE
28. Valparaiso, Chile , SCVA
29. Santiago, Chile , SCEL
30. Los Andes, Chile , SCRG
31. The Devil’s Pass , Andes Mountains
32. Mendoza, Argentina , SAME
33. San Luis, Argentina , SAOU
34. Rosario, Argentina , SAAR
35. Buenos Aires, Argentina , SAEZ
36. Montevideo, Uruguay , SUMU
37. Salto, Uruguay , SUSO
38. Asuncion, Paraguay , SGAS
39. Concepcion, Paraguay , SGCO
40. Yacuiba, Bolivia , SLYA
41. Sucre, Bolivia , SLSU
42. Santa Cruz, Bolivia , SLVR
43. Corumba, Brazil , SBCR
44. Londrina, Brazil , SBLO
45. Sao Paulo, Brazil , SBGR
46. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil , SBGL
47. Uberaba, Brazil , SBUR
48. Brasilia, Brazil , SBBR
49. Palmas, Brazil , SBPJ
50. Maraba, Brazil , SBMA
51. Belem, Brazil , SBBE
52. Macapa, Brazil , SBMQ
53. Cayenne, French Guiana , SOCA
54. Paramaribo, Suriname , SMZO
55. Georgetown, Guyana , SYCJ
56. Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago , TTPP
57. Caracas, Venezuela , SVFM
58. Maracaibo, Venezuela , SVMC
59. Oranjestad, Aruba , TNCA
60. Curacao, Netherland Antillies , TNCC
61. Margarita, Venezuela , SVMG
62. Saint George’s, Grenada , TGPY
63. St. Vincent, St. Vincent & Gr. , TVSV
64. Bridgetown, Barbados , TBPB
65. Castries, Saint Lucia , TLPC
66. Fort-de-France, Martinique , TFFF
67. Roseau, Dominica , TDPD
68. Basse-Terre, Guadaloupe , TFFB
69. Plymouth, Montserrat , TRPG
70. Saint John’s, Antigua and Barbuda , TAPA
71. Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis , TKPK
72. Sint Maarten, Netherland Antillies , TNCM
73. Saint Martin, Guadeloupe , TFFG
74. The Valley, Anguilla , TQPF
75. Road Town, British Virgin Islands , TUPJ
76. Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands , TIST
77. San Juan, Puerto Rico , TJSJ
78. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic , MDSD
79. Cockburn Town, Turks and Caicos , MBGT
80. Port-au-Prince, Haiti , MTPP
81. Kingston, Jamaica , MKJP
82. George Town, Cayman Islands , MWCR
83. La Habana, Cuba , MUHA
84. Nassau, Bahamas , MYNN
85. Fort Lauderdale, USA , KFLL

My friends, family, colleagues… people of countries and continents near and far… Very soon I will be carried by the winds on a small aeronautic vessel to the far reaches of the Earth. It brings me joy when I think about what it is that I’m doing for my country, my people, and also for myself. I began with an idea, and I now have a mission. As a Kosovar, an American, and as a citizen of this world, I promise not to give up!

– James Berisha

With this map you will be able to check out the entire route James’ has planned for his journey and keep track of his current location and destination. The map will be updated while James is on the trip so check it often!

Long loading time, Please be patient.

View Africa Lobbying Trip in a larger map

View Flying for Kosovo in a larger map

We recommend viewing this map in Google Earth. To do so:
1. Open the map in Google Maps by clicking HERE

Viewing the map and route in this way allows you to interact with the map easier.

Jared Ortega, a good friend of Flying for Kosovo, has created a flight video montage and mission statement video for us. Enjoy:

Support from all of you around the world has been enormous these past few days. I sincerely thank all of you from the depth of my heart, and I promise not to let any of you down. As promised, here is the planned route so far for the trip from El Paso, USA, to Panama City, Panama. After Panama City, I will continue to Colombia and the rest of South America.

The destinations and the order they will be visited in are subject to change due to bad weather, political reasons, or unforeseen circumstances. Check back in the next few days for the route updated all the way through South America.

Route:

1. El Paso, USA. KELP
2. Chihuahua, Mexico. MMCU
3. Torreon, Mexico. MMTC
4. Zacatecas, Mexico. MMZC
5. Toluca, Mexico. MMTO
6. Veracruz, Mexico. MMVR
7. Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico. MMTG
8. Belmopan, Belize. PABV
9. Guatemala, Guatemala. MGGT
10. San Salvador, El Salvador. MSLP
11. Tegucigalpa, Honduras. TRPA
12. Managua, Nicaragua. MNMG
13. San Jose, Costa Rica. MROC
14. Panama City, Panama. MPMG