Dialogue ongoing with UK’s FCDO for airport expansion

The government remains in dialogue with the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) as it advances plans to expand the territory’s main airport on Beef Island.

Works Minister Kye Rymer said the outline business case for the expansion is currently under review by UK officials.

“We are at the stage now where we are in dialogue with the United Kingdom, the FCDO, and they are revising the outline business case,” Rymer said.

He explained that the UK has requested clarification on aspects of the submission. “They had some questions pertaining to the contents of the documents, and we are working out those issues, and then we will be in a better position to update you as to what is happening with the airport expansion,” he said.

Rymer confirmed that the recommended runway length remains seven thousand feet and has received Cabinet’s endorsement. “The Cabinet would have endorsed that recommendation, and we are working towards what the next phase is and the next steps of what is happening with the airport expansion,” he disclosed.

The proposed extension relates to the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport, the territory’s main air gateway. The expansion is intended to accommodate larger regional aircraft and improve direct access, reducing reliance on connecting flights through neighbouring territories.

While discussions with the UK continue, Rymer said interim improvements are being pursued, including additional parking and expansion works at the arrival and departure terminals.

“In the interim, there are some works that we are looking at for the airport in terms of additional parking. We are looking at the arrival and departure terminal expansion work to be done there,” he said.

He also referenced recent changes to traffic flow at the airport’s entrance. “We know we changed the entrance to the airport and it’s based on ASCII’s requirement that they mandated that we take the drop off ninety feet away from the car site and we are waiting to get that equipment where we’ll be installing a canopy for the commuters or for the passengers to be in an environment where they won’t get wet once they’re dropped off,” Rymer said.

The airport expansion forms part of the government’s broader infrastructure strategy to strengthen tourism and economic activity. The timeline for the next phase remains dependent on the outcome of discussions with the FCDO and agreement on the revised business case.