Lack of will prevented BVI from landing bigger jets in the past
Premier Natalio Wheatley has expressed that it was a ‘lack of will and innovation’ that prevented bigger jets from landing at the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport in the past.
Despite the efforts of previous BVI governments, the Embraer E-175 will be the biggest jet to land in the BVI when American Airlines starts operating flights to and from the territory as of June 2023.
At a recent press conference, a member of the media asked leaders to explain the reasons that have prevented the BVI from accommodating bigger jets all these years.
In response, Premier Wheatley said past failures were due to a lack of will and the absence of a Works Minister like Kye Rymer who went the extra mile to secure the historic deal with American Airlines.
“The biggest problem we had in not being able to land [bigger] planes at the airport is that we didn’t have a Minister like Kye Rymer and I’m not joking,” Premier Wheatley said. “The will is what was lacking and maybe the innovation. The Deputy Premier is a humble guy so I will say it for him because he won’t say it.”
Give Rymer his credit
The Premier said Rymer faced many challenges in landing the American Airlines deal but did not give up in the quest to improve the BVI’s airlift. He also hinted that other opportunities came up but didn’t materialiae because of “challenges.” Yet the Premier said Minister Rymer refused to “take no for an answer.”
“It’s something that could have happened before, it’s just a matter of getting the right equipment and the right relationships,” Premier Wheatley stated. He also said the BVI’s participation in international conferences like Routes World 2022 also played a part in landing the deal with American Airlines.
“The Minister was very clear about attending this Routes conference. And sometimes when people see us taking these trips they think we just want a weekend away from the Virgin Islands. But when we go on these trips we go to deliver the goods for the people of the Virgin Islands – and the Minister delivered and we have to give him credit,” Premier Wheatley said.
The BVI’s longstanding airlift problem
Airlift has been a longstanding problem for the BVI’s tourism. Currently, the territory gets a large number of visitors who travel from the neighbouring US Virgin Islands, which already has airport facilities to accommodate increased airlift.
In the past, the National Democratic Party government had unsuccessfully tried to secure a deal with the now-defunct BVI Airways, which would have increased the BVI’s airlift. Instead of increased airlift, that deal resulted in a major scandal that saw the government spend $7.2 million to, among other things, pay off BVI Airways’ debts, pay fees required by aviation regulators, and pay the salaries of the airline’s pilots, flight attendants, and ground crews.
In the meantime, plans are in the works to expand the runway at the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport to accommodate even larger jets.
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Give credit to individuals such as Clive, Coy, etc. who have worked tirelessly over the years to make this possible. Come on Wheatley this would have been impossible if substantial work wasn’t done.
Hear this joker Natalio when he was against the expansion of the airport. This man said that we should improve the ferry service and not build an airport. It sound like Andrew left all his lies in the Will for Sowande.
You are wasting your time hating on the New Premier: what did you lot do in 20 odd years? Nada – Zero- a freaking and dubious wall around the high school and a pier park three times over cost? You did zero at- least the NEW VIP is showing results
It is very good news. But now Ky persuade them they have the flights the wrong way round. It would be better to fly Tortola – Miami in the morning so connections to US other cities can be made. And better to fly from Miami in the afternoon so that people can get there in the morning from other US cities.
This has nothing to do with your Minister and Airport Manager, American told you they were coming after Routes because they were interested in the High-End market. This is just a political gimmick, you dam sure looking for votes, the press conference could have waited when American Airlines Executives came and had a joint media release. That managing Director isn’t local and you guys kept him away from the table while crediting people who weren’t even present. That’s the Govt you guys are, spotlight on you and only you! The E190 show you what they can do, but it’s not what you guys want, it’s a Dominican company, and they deserve the proper press conference when they came. The political gimmick at its finest, we’re not stupid to see it.
Did you forget the Airbus A318?https://fb.watch/hfrLRjkO1R/
If you insist in using my name, please try to get the English right.
These guys were at the airport for so many years. What exactly were they doing? We’re they not advising the powers that be?
Probably too busy fighting like crabs in a barrel and traveling while the junior staff hustling for no recognition.
Thank God for new blood.
It would be encouraging to BVI residents for the BVI media to report the progress of the test landings and take-offs of this jet from the Beef Island airport in various weather conditions BEFORE it commences flying 76 passengers between Miami and Beef island airport in June 2023.
If this plane cannot safely land at Beef in windy/rainy weather and diverts to San Juan, St. Thomas or St. Martin then that diversion will negatively affect passenger’s travel plans for days.
What about the senior citizen at the airport. You guys need to make space for the youth we are the future.
He just here strolling around refusing to be checked by security. Never know what going on. Come on K
Biggest aircraft to land beef?! Now i know yall aint do no fact checking. As usual a pumped up piece with no credible information being given to persons who know nothing about the industry. Lack of vision you say? How about lack of credible ppl being put into positions to see projects through with thorough preparation and project handling skills?
Only reason the airport aint expand yet is because yall have a set of idiots running the show that dont know what they doing. Then you hire consultants to do their jobs and you waste tax payer money when the project eventually flops. Waste of time sick of this place.
What a crock, you all looking for votes for the up coming election….
Accept that the plane is coming and stop looking for an excuse to give negative comments. When that occurs well they will make the right decision but the deal is done!
Not a lack of will – the previous governments were hell bent on extending the runway through some shady land deal which was sure to net their friends and family a multi-million dollar payday.
I do agree with “Again with That” comment. It is political gimmick. This is all part of American Airlines expansion in the Caribbean Islands and yes it would have been good if there was a joint press conference with executives from American Airlines and the Government. It is not the politician who did the work on this and they need to stop fooling the people. While it is good to have the direct flights, persons need to be aware that if they are taking the flight to make a connection, they must be prepared to do some overnighting which could drive up their cost. Travelling from foreign to Us, especially via Miami, could take hours to clear immigration and customs. So, getting in t 5.30 pm could see you getting cleared after 10 pm.
What the big hoopla about? Cyril Romney had direct flights coming in here from miami in the 80’s….These guys acting like its a big deal
1/ Who is the local agent? 2/ How long is this agreement or contract in the first instance?…3/ Is there any monthly seat commitment that will be made available and paid for to accommodate govt official travel.?
It’s done that way round to suit the US citizens
I am HIGHLY INSULTED by Sowande for trying to play educated people for a fool. American made a business decision for their own benefit and profits. What was so innovative about that as it relates to your government, Sowande?? You using gimmicks to try and hype up the population and get votes and it is a desperate thing to do. People are smarter than you want to believe. Shameful!
Sorry but we’re going to see an accident. The E 175 take off and landing specs are too close for comfort. A plane FULL of passengers can’t put on enough fuel to get back to Miami without stopping. We’ll see. Keep your fingers crossed.