Gov’t plans to increase airport runway – Flax
BVI News Correspondent - Wednesday, January 26th, 2011 at 7:43 AM
Territorial member, Keith Flax
Territorial At-large Representative Keith Flax said plans are in the making to increase the length of the runway at the Terrence B Lettsome Airport.
Speaking on the Virgin Islands Party Programme ‘Lets Talk’ radio programme this week, Flax expressed concern about airlift into the Terrence B Lettsome Airport and at Virgin Gorda.
Flax said that as a government they operate on a premise of collective responsibility and as such, even though members may have their own pet projects which they would like to see materialized, the government work in unison and try to carry out the programmes and the wishes of the people of the territory.
“I was not happy that Virgin Gorda Airport had to be closed for almost a year. That bothered me a lot because as you all know this airport has been open since the late 60’s and we have operated single-engine aircraft, multi-engine aircraft and as a matter of fact not many people know this, jet aircraft has flown into Virgin Gorda on more than one occasion,” Flax said.
He added that the BVI is in a situation now where the territory is faced with a number of restrictions whereby aircraft have been flying into Virgin Gorda for many years are now unable to do so, simply because of restrictions that are being placed at that airport.
“I speak from the point of view as a pilot because I believe that some of the restrictions that have been placed on the Virgin Gorda Airport is high-handed, but as I have said in the House, the agency that is managing that aspect of our airlift into the territory they probably have to justify the money that is being paid to them,” he said.
Flax also expressed concern about the length of the runway of the Terrence B Lettsome Airport and said measures are in the pipeline to address this problem.
“When it comes to the Beef Island Airport, I am one of those who is very keen on seeing the runway lengthened so that we can have international flights coming in from the eastern seaboard of the US, such as Miami, New York and even some of the mid and western states.
“There are those who may think that adding 1,000 feet to the runway would be sufficient for aircraft of the magnitude I am speaking to coming to the territory, but there have been proposals drawn up for the extension of the runway and I know that the final proposal is now in the hands of the minister. And after that has been veted by cabinet, it would be laid on the table of the House and all the members will have the opportunity to see what is finally been proposed,” Flax said.
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Well, this re election ploy sure sounds a bit better than the “free computer” giveaway. Can’t believe BVI politicians, with how low they will stoop, or the voters, who fall for it. Clean house next election!!
It seem to me people under estimate the whole issue at hand!!! do we fail to see how many white people make it in the territory every day? Not just from AA, but from Liat and private airlines!!! Now if lets say the runway extended and two AA flights a day to our territory thats more enough passengers that it will take 5 eagle flight the whole day to bring!!!! Not to mention Liat brings the UK people out of Antigua and Barbados on British Airways…. Now i have seen this work on many occasion at smaller airports as the BVI you target large aircrafts and in return they offer vocation packages like promotions with the Tourist Board to gain passengers Dnt mind the taxes we are not the only high paid taxes fee country there are more in the Caribbean but BIGGER aircrafts still fly to. Target is marketing, and this is what the Country need to solve i agree b4 we think about the runway do some in house cleaning build the 5 star Hotel @ BEEF(NDP IDEA), create duty free shopping for top of the line product and make sure our restaurants are 100% ALL THE TIME!!! Service SUCKS IN THE BVI!!! DNT MAKE THE BVI A NEXT BARBADOS you get the guest but not the SERVICE!!! Now Runway length is alway a better way forward think of the Future ppl fail to realize the future until it is done build this should have done the moment the project started years ago and not to waste money now trying to get it down again!!!! Take out the small aircraft let Caribbean Airlines Fly to the BVI tired of LIAT!!! Straight flights B737 to GUYANA, ANTIGUA, MIAMI, NEW YORK and CANADA!!! these aircrafts have the ability to fly the distance!!! BUT please dnt limit for those size THINK BIG B787 in the FUTURE!!! A380 we cant handle that the whole plane will cause heat waves flying over Tortola. Virgin Atlantic can make themselves knowing straight flights to and from the UK with options of going NY… come on ppl DNT LET our island stand for less!!!
LET ME MENTION THIS TOOO!!!! JOBS FOR YOUR PPL WILL BE CREATED THIS WAY!!!!
@pilot, don’t disrespect LIAT airlines they stand for the Caribbean!!! – Luggage In Another Terminal and Leave Island Any Time – LOL, but we love them!!! and glad they service the islands as they do…..
@sam the man, lol i ant hating its about time them we have carriers competing in the same market the prices and stuff like Luggage in Another Terminal will be fixed!!!
@pilot, I know Bro….just having some fun! You are so right….
NOT HAPPENING EVER, IF THEY EXPAND THE RUNWAY IT WILL BE FOR JEST FLYING FROM BRITAN AND TRINDAD, AND CENTRAL AMERICA THEY WOULD NOT GET ANY USA AIR CARRIERS TO FLY INTO THE BVI!!
1)THE WHOLE AIRPORT WOULD HAVE TO BE REDONE AGAIN TO ACCOMADATE THE AIRLINES( THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE FIRST PLACE)
2. US CARRIERS WILL NOT FLY TO THE BVI WHEN THEY COULD LAND IN THE USVI AND PUERTO RICO FOR A CHEAPER COST, MATIENCE, CHEAPER FUEL, CHEAPER PARKING SPOT.
3) THE GOVERMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DOES NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO DO THIS WHERE THEY GOING PULL IT OUT OFM THEM A**.
WHERE THE MONEY GONE!!! THE COOKIE MISSING BUT THE JAR AIN LEAKING!!!!
There is absolutely no point in extending the runway in isolation. What does bringing in jets (presumably larger than the present planes) from the mainland mean? It could mean fewer total flights carrying the same number of passengers as now – so no gain for the expense. Or it could mean more passengers/tourists. And what will they need? Beds and berths. That is more hotels and more marinas for the boats. All this has to go hand in hand in a development plan.
thimk about europe, a direct flight from dere could influence more visitors from dere! more tourist more money for hotels, it wont hurt having a longer run aways, lets try to get it then see wa it can influence! i mean who knows the a cruise company may decide to have one of it ship depature from here!
Think positive BVI just as important HLSCC is to education is just as important an international air port is to tourism.Look beyond please.
@positive, Before you think of building an international airport “for tourism” there is a need for a country that people are interested in coming to! Presently, are buildings and roads are decrepid and falling into a worse state. We have no 5-star resorts that offer the ammenities that people would want to come to an island for. We have no shops of caliber that people coming to a 5-star resort would want to shop at. We have no past-times, other than laying on a packed beach with cruise ship people, for people staying at the non-existent 5-star resorts to do. We have to start with the basics. First things first are installing modern and efficient sewerage lines, ensuring there is clean water running (AT ALL TIMES) for the people to wash themsleves and flush their toilets, repairing and expanding the roads to make them safe to travel on, cleaning our properties from dust, grime, and trash, tackling the parking situation in Road Town, tackling the poor attitude of our customer service providers, reducing the robberies being conducted by our young men on tourists and residents alike, completing our hospital and hiring quality doctors, nurses and technicians to provide the service, promoting entrepreneurship amongst the people to start businesses to provide the goods, products and services that will be necessary to maintain and keep the country running as a top quality destination, and finally promoting a unification of the people that can love this country and one another no matter where they’re born!
Without having a country worthy of being an international destination there is no reason to waste money building an airport. Yes, by all means expand the runway to allow for better safety but as explained, it makes no sense to build what is not required nor is a priority. Would someone with vision and business sense please come out of the shadows and step up to be a leader of this country!
@Going about it all wrong, well said I agree…and anyhow what fool wants to put additional taxes onto airlines that already are pulling out of coming to the BVI? wake up BVI Government……
This is nothing but more pre election empty chat. Do you really think that backbencher Flax can do anything more than attempt to justify another chance at a seat that he has only warmed since the last party victory.
@Eyes Wide Open (Original), I was beginning to wonder if he’s still a member of parliament, i mean who does see or hear from he? All of a sudden he popped up like daises with some fake empty promise obviously to get votes, to get access to government money, some ah dem never live so good til dem reach in there.
It would be a lot cheaper to subsidize american airlines, cape air, etc. to run more flights. AA is only running 3 flights into Beef daily. What makes you think that bigger jets will start coming here all of a sudden? We can barely get in/out of the territory now!
Finish the hospital, fix the sewer, fix the roads.
@No Money, Sadly I don’t think the hospital will ever be finished and certain consultants should be sued for the neglegent advice they gave the Government in kicking off the contractor when he was 80% plus finished…. now I think they will have to knock it down and start again…which won’t happen and Tortola has a large “white elephant” legacy
And where will you get the money from to do this? How much over budget will it go? How long will it take? What happens to Trellis Bay?
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