Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

Test flight lands in VG to mark reopening of Taddy Bay Airport

There was a sense of shared excitement among public officials today as the Taddy Bay Airport in Virgin Gorda reopened with a test flight from TradeWind Aviation.

Speaking at the reopening ceremony, Deputy Governor David Archer Jr said, as a proud Virgin Gordian, he was delighted to see the reopening of the airport as it meant more tourism business for the sister island which is described as the tourism capital of the territory.

“For Virgin Gorda, it’s a very special day. When I went to Beef Island and saw all of the jets on the runways, I said wow! But today when I saw this amazing plane land, I now understand why it extends to the wider BVI. Virgin Gorda deserves this,” the Deputy Governor said.

Deputy Chairperson of the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA), Patsy Lake said the occasion was a big blessing for Virgin Gorda and the wider territory. Lake also thanked those involved in the reopening, especially Premier Andrew Fahie and the contractor, Alric George of AGS Construction, who lead rehabilitative works at the facility.

“Today we can look at a beautiful building and we certainly hope with the improvement it will triple our passenger numbers and satisfy the demand into Virgin Gorda,” the Deputy Chairperson added.

Reopening good for health sector too


Representative of the Ninth District where Virgin Gorda is located, Vincent Wheatley, said the reopening of the Taddy Bay Airport was not only significant for the tourism sector but it will prove beneficial to the health sector.

“This has opened a whole new avenue of aircraft that can fly into the airport; widening the scope of people who can fly from anywhere once the plane can get here. From my timing, the place crossed the airports in one and a half minutes and from wheel to wheel it was around four minutes. So, for persons who might have medical issues and have to go to Tortola- imagine three minutes versus half an hour on a boat. This here has the capacity to save a life,” Wheatley said.

Fourth port of entry to reopen to int’l traffic


Meanwhile, Chairperson of the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB), Kenisha Sparuve said the reopening of Taddy Bay marks the fourth port of entry and the second airport in the territory that can welcome international travellers on direct trips to the territory during the COVID-19 era.

“We at the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission are pleased that this airport can welcome travellers with a full range of services including COVID-19 health screening, improved infrastructure and safety and comfort of our residents and guests,” she said.

“We are also pleased that people who work at or provide services at the airport are once again re-engaged; helping to boost economic activity on this island,” the BVITB Chairperson added.

Long awaited


Meanwhile, Virgin Gorda resident and the Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Shereen Flax-Charles, said this moment was long-awaited among residents of Virgin Gorda. She noted the reopening of the airport will go a long way in getting people back into the island that so many people have fallen in love with over the years.

“Today the many and diverse people of Virgin Gorda saw in the most literal of senses ‘to great heights. Of course, we cannot call them new heights as we celebrate new birth and not newness,” Flax-Charles said.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×