Cabinet accepts outline case for airport expansion
The Terrance B Lettsome International Airport expansion has moved closer to reality, with Cabinet approving a strategic outline case that sets out options for the project, including a proposed runway length of 7,000 feet to meet major airline requirements.
During his recent budget address, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley emphasised the expansion’s significance for the BVI’s economic future.
“Interest in the BVI and the demand for airlift are high,” Dr Wheatley stated, noting the project’s potential to increase direct access to international markets, attract larger aircraft, and reduce reliance on regional hubs.
The business case, developed by KPMG (BVI) Ltd, is expected by February 2025, paving the way for a final decision. The proposed expansion would add at least 2,400 feet to the current runway, enhancing the BVI’s global connectivity.
Premier Wheatley reiterated his administration’s commitment to starting the project before the end of its current term in 2027. “We are extending the runway. That’s something we campaigned on, and we’re going to make it a reality,” he affirmed.
The project’s financial framework remains under discussion, with options such as public-private partnerships, loans secured by the Airports Authority, or leasing the airport being explored. The Premier assured the public that consultations will be conducted to gather input from residents and stakeholders.
This expansion is poised to position the BVI as a more accessible and attractive destination while bolstering its economy through improved international connections.
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is the applicable description of the endlessly delayed runway extension plans because it is completely unnecessary.
This editorial in the BVI Beacon perfectly articulates how the government’s actions here are inept and completely unjustifiable: https://www.bvibeacon.com/editorial-government-backpedals-on-airport-transparency/
Completely insane. we need roads, schools and hospitals. not some 3-400 million project that can make a few rich.
we are not getting planes from Europe.
we cant handle 3 -4 planes a day, where would they stay?
The expansion is needed for the bvi to grow and be competitive , but this VIP will start it but none of you will in government to see it’s completion and if we had a snap election now we putting you all out look at territory worst than ever heart of the tourists season and look at the foolishness digging up roads east ,country and west what message are you sending to the outside world I’m a shame when I drive around my country minister of works lost and the Premier has no idea as to how move this country forward.
“The expansion is needed for the bvi to grow and be competitive… .” That is ridiculous, but unless and until the so-called “business case” is completed, you can’t possibly know that. You’re just repeating the mantra that the government is putting out there.
BVIs is indeed a beautiful place but it does not have a monopoly of its physical attributes. If the Territory wants to expand its overnight tourist product, here are some ideas:
1. Build nice places for guests to stay.
2. Create better ferry service between St. Thomas and here. The airport will take years to expand
3. Improve the customer service experience. The surliness encountered around here upon arrival has been going on for 3 decades plus.
4. Clean up the place. Civic pride does not appear to be defining characteristic in the Territory.
Instead, BVIs will end up spending probably upwards of $ 500 million (more than it’s current annual budget and GDP) since nothing here has ever been done on time and within budget. We won’t go into details regarding the airport, but remember that after spending $100 million at Peebles, it still was not equipped to function, and donations had to be solicited for medical equipment. It’s unclear where this money will come from, but very likely the BVIs will be beholden to someone. Passing the cost of a $ 500 million capital expansion to travelers in the way of fees and taxes will make the ticket prices unpalatable to most. Direct flights to Miami are already pretty pricey. No doubt a good chunk of the total project cost will trickle to those well connected. Anyone else remember the missing $ 10 million on the Pier Park project (about 12% of the money expended on the project)? And, after the airport is completed, and Trellis Bay ruined (how nice is that going to look?), the roads will still be crap, the place will still be trashed, and there will still be a shortage of places for people to stay. We will be lucky to get one flight a day from mainland US during season.
Just saying…
dystopia
noun
an imagined state or society in which there is great suffering or injustice, typically one that is totalitarian or post-apocalyptic.
“environmental disaster is the backdrop to this modern dystopia
we should not extend this, we should improve the links (quantity and reliability) of our links to other islands instead.
Remember the vaunted Anegada Solar Farm? It was supposed to have been finished about a year ago. Not a peep from the government about it, and if it is undertaken, this airport expansion project will dwarf the solar farm in terms of waste, fraud, and abuse.
its coming online in December, guys are here finishing the project, everything nearly in place , just a year late.
Thanks for your reply, but I’ll believe it when I see it. And for the record, the December of 2023 was already one that was pushed back from the original finished date-so the delay is far more than a year.
No! Definitely not!!!
We must fix the existing infrastructure first!
The roads, sewage, water and solid waste incinerator are all badly in need of repair due to criminal neglect on behave of this and previous governments.
Stop with all the trips abroad, stay on Island and work to fix things as you promised. If you have to borrow 100 million dollars to help repair the neglected infrastructure, then maybe you should not be traveling especially when the travel budget is 2 million dollars over budget.
Lord help us from this woeful leadership!
Were the run way going to go into deep water
It can be done. That is exactly how St. Thomas extended their runway. They took down a mountain and fill up the sea
BVI will be sold out like a cheap hooker to the Chinese who will finance and build it for this step and fetch it government. BVI businesses will be shut out of the project, China will be given whatever it wants, then when BVI defaults on the loan for the shoddy construction, China will take land. Doing it all over the Caribbean. Government can’t fill potholes, how they going to build airport?
Tourism numbers are based on cruise ship folks spending $3 for a soda. Hotels are empty. Restaurants see less business as charter boats are really floating campers and a large number of the occupants eat every meal on board and a lot of the food they bring with them!!
Fic the f’ing infrastructure first. Let’s be able to flush a toilet without revisiting its contents on the road.
if it’s large enough to receive arrivals of super midsize business jets, the visitors we need can arrive. build a large private hangar and also a marina on beef island. Once St Thomas airport expansion renovations are complete transitioning from arrivals and getting to a ferry would address the main issues arriving travellers have. Ofc then you would need to contract out with a Ferry company that provide better travel experience and mid/high level fleet.
Not concrete monuments.
The roads would sooner be paved with gold and the people struggle than really investing in the people freely without picking and choosing. So what if people asked for less and got more, the real problem was it was not inclusive during covid everyone was to get a grant for hygiene products, and ease of anxiety facing a pandemic ect.
For the money that is wasted the whole population can get paid. 45,000 or 50,000 people is not too many to take care of properly.
But because a few politicians choose to waste it on their personal project we still have to pay NHI and social security. Still pay import taxes when everything is imported.
Why cant they settle down stop spending and start saving? The tourist & finance are coming to us you dont have to do much except clean up and stay off the black list.
If you can go to “social development” regardless of age beyond 18 and get cash fast why would anyone steal. If companies paid a “BVI Well Being” tax besides a company registration tax government would be able to do that.
The politician builds or orchestrates a million dollar “infrastructure” project to leave their mark. Every political party. Sorry to say but there was the wall man, the market man, the concert man, the plane man, the greenhouse man, the manor man and more…
Stop spending. Smile look pretty clean up appreciate what we have now and welcome the tourist if the BVI is so great they will find a way to get here and pay to stay. Treat our people good then a BVI Well Being tax would be entirely justified.
Britain or America ain’t doing nothing for us, Get China in let them do the Run way and another Cruise Pier, Cruise is the future, Either at Trellis Bay or adjacent west to the exiting one. We will win our children and grand will benefit in the future, we will have to gave up a lot but in the end it will worth it. We are going to get them finished on time, on budget and properly..
Be careful of what you wish for. Your progeny may be leaning Mandarin before long…
Don’t wotty everyone. They have now worked out how to bet their hands on the money. Cash in time for family and cronies. Not what we need but what the greedy must have.
Now more visitors can see how terrible we road’s are soon as them touch down. Unless them catch the boat to VG they will still fall in some hole and mud right at the jetty lol
New gran canyon
THAT AIRPORT DOES NOT NEED TO BE EXTENDED AT THIS TIME. END TORY
Every time this topic comes up, a few people show up to oppose it, claiming it’s unnecessary. I guess it’s also unnecessary for all the other tourists destinations. You all sound stupid. Yes it will cost money but it’s called an investment. You don’t depend on your competitors to get your tourists to you.
Before extending the runway, could we maybe focus on the ever deteriorating infrastructure, like roads, power, water, medical facilities, crime and policing. I love the BVI but she’s looking tired.