Airlift prices getting better, Premier says
Airlift prices to the BVI are improving, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said during a live radio broadcast yesterday.
He gave that indication while also responding to concerns about the impact of increased flights on traditional tourism businesses such as ferry operators.
“The airlift into the territory is very good, and it’s only getting better,” Dr Wheatley stated during Virgin Islands Voice, a new government programme aimed at direct communication with the public.
He noted that American Airlines flights between Miami and Beef Island have remained in high demand. “American Airlines, no matter how many flights they have—five, six flights a day—they come in full,” he said. “The only reason why they don’t have more flights on the ground is because we just don’t have the space.”
The government is planning a runway expansion at Terrance B Lettsome International Airport to accommodate more and larger aircraft. “We are going to extend our runway,” the Premier confirmed.
A caller during the programme raised concerns about the consequences of increased air access, asking whether any new hotels had been built in the past five years and whether a feasibility study had been done to assess the impact on the marine and public ferry industry.
“We haven’t had new hotels in a while,” Dr Wheatley acknowledged. “We have many persons who have been building villas, and you have Lambert, Wyndham, et cetera, who have been expanding. But really, it’s like a chicken and egg story.”
He said the construction of international airports in other islands such as St Vincent and the Grenadines had paved the way for hotel investment. “You’re not going to see the type of investment in hotel structures until you can provide easier airlifting to the territory,” he argued.
The Premier acknowledged that the ferry industry has experienced challenges since the rise in air arrivals. “Perhaps we need to get together and have a conversation about where the economy is going and how we can help to support persons to make adjustments and transition to areas to be able to sustain their business,” he said.
Dr Wheatley noted that flight prices have begun to stabilise despite early concerns about affordability. “The reason why the prices have been high is because the demand is so great. But with more flights, I believe the prices have evened out a little bit. And with greater competition, the consumer will benefit,” he said.
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airport is fine for direct flights from/to Miami. No need to extend the runway. Please steam line the arrival process for incoming passengers. Thank you
You clearly have no clue about airport operations or aircraft and aircraft safety protocols. The runway is too short. I went beef Island ferry dock the other and the American Airlines plane was taking off. I watched the aircraft literally used the whole runway before lift off. I thought the lift off was too close to the fence.The runway needs to be extended.
Thanks for that response. Some people just parrot this nonsense about the airport does not need extension without given valid reasons.
The current airport length leaves no room for error as you accurately described from your observation.
American is using their smallest equipment that they can land and take off safely at the current length but they got to get it right every time they land or take off.
For safety reasons alone, the airport should be extended. God forbid something happens, these same people who are against the airport expansion would be the same ones running their mouth and pointing fingers.
I guess American knows airport operations better than you. They would have verified that EIS meets their requirements, the EIS requirements, and the FAA requirements or obviously,btheyvwouldnt be flying the route!!!
How about you lower your prices to a reasobable amount instead of it costing that same for a round trip of 30 miles costing the same as a round trip by airline of 1,500 miles. You greedy operators are subsidized by the BVI government and have never passed on 1 penny of that to the customers. Why are the ferries subsidized in the first place? The only ferry company not receiving susidies is Speedys and they happen to be the best from , cleanliness to on time performance to customer service and also pricing. If they have better pricing you would have full loads every trip. Adapt to te business enviornment.Dont inconvenience travelers just because the Ferrys cant keep up. With those subsidies they have made enough over the years.
Seriously? You need to step out of the woods. They need to extend the runway and upgrade the airport and have direct flights to NYC. The BVI is the only airport in the Caribbean that does not have direct flights to NYC.
If I could fly direct from Tortola to Fort Lauderdale or Orlando.
Many avoid MIA because of congestion and prefer to fly Fort Lauderdale as alternative.
The prices could be better. They are still much too high for the average citizen.
If the premier really wants to reduce the cost of flights the first thing he should consider is to get rid of all the taxes and fees that airlines are being forced to add into their ticket costs.
Each time you fly roundtrip in and out of Beef Island, the government is pocketing:
Airport Departure Tax: $20
Airport Development Fee: $30 ($15×2)
Hold Baggage Screening Fee: $7
$57 right there, that BVI government is adding to our cost of travelling.Lets get rid of those first.