American Airlines conducts successful test flights to BVI
Ahead of its inaugural flights to the territory on June 1, American Airlines (AA) yesterday conducted a successful test flight to the BVI’s Terrance B Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island.
Works Minister Kye Rymer said the AA carrier departed the Miami International Airport with personnel from the company onboard as passengers. He said the flight was done as part of the training for the AA crew as the runway at the TB Lettsome International Airport is shorter than what they are used to.
“The captain said it was a comfortable flight. They took a lot of videos to do continuous training because this will be one of the shortest runways they’re landing on,” Rymer explained. “They were quite happy with the surface of the runway, they understand the length of it from training leading up to this test flight.”
Initially, AA’s Embraer E175 aircraft was supposed to do one flight to the BVI on June 1 but due to a high demand, the government said there are now two inaugural flights scheduled for that day.
There will also be two flights on June 3, 9, 16 and 30, after the airline had previously committed to single flights on those days.
Rymer said the first flight will depart Miami around 10:30 am and the second around 12:30pm. He urged residents to visit the airport on June 1 to greet the first passengers who will be on those flights.
The AA flights scheduled for June 1 are rather important for the BVI. Successive governments have tried and failed to convince airlines to fly directly into the BVI. Rymer is credited for making the historic deal possible after rounds of negotiations with potential airlines.
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Not sure you need residents to show up at the Airport. Just have a unique welcome area with some refreshments.
WHY ARE WE ACTING LIKE AMERICAN EAGLE NEVER FLEW HERE BEFORE? THEY WERE HERE ALREADY, LEFT AND NOW RETURNING WITH BETTER PLANES…INFACT THEY LEFT THE CARIBBEN AND NOW RETURNING TO DOMINICA, ANGUILLA AND BVI…ITS ONLY KYE, WILLOCK AND THE VIP LOOKING POLITICAL MILEAGE FROM IT
I hope they clean all that bush around the airport before the inaugural flight. There are a lot of overgrown acacia trees by the communication antennas by the airport which needs government’s attention. It is very deplorable
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! This was such a political sell. If people would only read their news and not just local news.
You are missing the point. American Eagle flew here from Puerto Rico. That’s not an international flight. The reason for the hooray is that it is the first direct international flight. Why should they not celebrate. We spent 7 millions on a plane that never brought a single passenger from Miami
Couldn’t agree more. The bush has to go to make a nice arrival experience. Also the bush is where the bugs live so cutting it means you don’t have to worry about insects and stinky smells. tourists and residents need to be able to see things clearly and the bush gets in the way. I personally like the way things look when the bush is shaved away.
Optimism, that is not true. The plane did fly from Miami.
Does American know the airport had to be shut down bc an air traffic controller called in sick and they had no one else to work that day? Ya, probably not! Smh…
You want residents visiting the airport to welcome the passengers? Seriously?! How about repairing the road through East End and Paraquita Bay so these passengers do not feel like they have gotten off a flight and boarded a roller coaster to their respective accommodations!!!
that is true. I flew from miami yrs ago. I wish the west end ferry dock would be taken as seriously. The plan/ design is rather horrible but it is desperately needed. Architecture should follow local design. also, be careful on how much bush gets cut back from airport. the environment is important.
Facts! Never mind the fact that a majority of the Tola backbone live in east end! Can’t afford a car bc they can’t afford the car repairs from those roads! Shameful!
Last commercial flight was 1980.
It flew from Miami.