“This is a good time to let you also know that we are expecting to have a major boost to the airlift in the Virgin Islands in the next few months,” Premier Fahie told residents during a meeting at Cappoon’s Bay last evening, December 29.

He added, “Your government is working. Your Government and the BVI Airports Authority have been in discussions with airlines and at least one airline has given strong positive feedback as it relates to flying into the Terrance B. Lettsome International airport with a larger, longer-range aircraft and landing on the runway at his current length.”

Technical details have been worked out and you will be hearing more about this soon.

“With God’s help simply put you will soon be able to fly from the BVI straight to the mainland whether Miami or Fort Lauderdale and back. This is your Government working for you,” the Premier stated.

He did not disclose the name of the airline although it was said last year that airport officials were having discussions with American Airlines (AA) for direct flights with the U.S.

“What I can tell you is that we can look forward to increase visitor arrivals at the airport, making greater use of our existing infrastructure while we are working on extending the runway to accommodate the larger airplanes. We have to make what we have in our hand work for us now. This is not just good management; it is innovative management by your Government as a team. And it is in line with our approach to maximize the use of our airports,” Premier Fahie stated.

Under Pressure To Deliver Direct Flights

Last July the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) administration came under pressure from residents when AA announced direct flights from Miami for Anguilla and Dominica.

This prompted the Government to disclose that high-level talks were underway between the BVI and AA for flights from Miami to the territory.
Premier Fahie had pointed out that the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport runway is some 800 feet shorter than Anguilla and that was one of the areas for concern for AA.

“They can come in, but they are concerned that if they come in full, and it’s raining and it's wet that they cannot land and they don’t want to take that chance. So we have been working with them, and we have had more meetings to see what we can narrow down,” Premier Fahie had disclosed last July.

The issue of direct flights with the U.S has been on the agenda of successive Governments for over two decades. The most recent attempt was under the National Democratic Party (NDP) administration which initiated the controversial BVI Airways Project that eventually run aground before any commercial flight took place.

The NDP Government had poured $7.2M of taxpayer money into the project that has since faced a police probe and most recently became a subject at the United Kingdom’s Commission Of Inquiry which is looking into allegations of Government corruption.

In December 2019, history was created as the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport welcomed its largest-ever commercial flight to the territory.

An estimated 60 passengers arrived on Titan Airways Airbus A318 on a direct flight from Canada.

Increased Airlift

At the Cappoon’s Bay meeting last evening, the Premier boasted about the strides Government has made with regards to airlift.

He shared that the Augustine George Airport in Anegada is now approved for night flights while upgrades at the Taddy Bay International Airport on Virgin Gorda has allowed for direct flights with Puerto Rico.

According to the Premier, the extension of the Terrance B. International Airport is inevitable especially with a range of transformational initiatives to come on stream including medical schools.