This announcement came on the heels of a meeting to establish a partnership between officials from the board of the BVI Airports Authority and the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) which was held on March 9, 2023.

According to a press release from the BVI Airports Authority, Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) has said the Government of the Virgin Islands will spare no efforts in ensuring that the T. B Lettsome International Airport can provide entrances to the world and a gateway to the Territory.

“I cannot underscore enough how important such partnerships are as St. Maarten is one of the major hubs that connect the Caribbean region to Europe and the BVI is perfectly positioned to tap into the European market with this partnership”, Hon Rymer is quoted as saying.

Additionally, Chairman of the Board of the BVI Airports Authority, Mr Theodore E. Burke said that the board is committed to increasing air access to the VI and connecting the region and the rest of the world to the Territory.

Necessary partnership between VI & St Maarten - Mr Burke

“In this regard, we will continue to forge the necessary partnerships to ensure the realisation of this objective”, Mr Burke stated, while noting that the authority and by extension the Territory, is continuing to witness the benefits of the VI’s participation in the Routes World 2022 conference.

Managing Director Mr Kurt A.G. Menal said the authority will continue its conversations with St Maarten and will soon make an announcement on the new partnership. Mr Menal was also quoted as saying that the necessary framework for the project to reduce in-transit fees is presently being fine-tuned.

According to the release, St. Maarten’s national carrier Win Air which currently operates a 19-seat Twin Otter aircraft in the Territory, is also in the process of expanding its fleet and service offerings to the [British] VI with the introduction of two 48-seat ATR 42 aircraft.