Rymer bemoans American Airlines monopoly, high fares
Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer has expressed concern about the high cost of travelling between the BVI and Miami, saying the territory faces “a monopoly with American Airlines” on its only direct United States route.
Speaking during bilateral meetings in the United Kingdom, Rymer said the long-discussed airport expansion project remains central to tackling the issue. He explained that UK officials “are fully aware that the Cabinet has endorsed the KPMG’s business case recommendations” to extend the runway to 7,000 feet.
According to Rymer, government officials at the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) talks happening in London are “working through the document right now to get the confirmation that this is a project that is necessary for the Virgin Islands”.
American Airlines launched direct daily flights between Miami and Beef Island in 2023. Since then, residents have repeatedly raised concerns about rising fares during peak periods. Tickets have at times climbed above US$900 return, with travellers citing the absence of competing carriers as a key driver.
Rymer acknowledged the pressure on passengers, stating that “the challenges there seem only a monopoly with the American airlines and not much [aircraft] that will be able to land from that distance on the runway”.
He said the government expects competition to increase once the runway is extended.
“Once the airport expands, we will have competition. We have quite a lot of airlines that are ready, exciting, wanting to come to the Virgin Islands,” he stated, noting that the price of flights is “something that we’re factoring in terms of the airport expansion”.
Rymer also announced new flight options for December. “On the 19th of December, there will be an overnight, a late-night flight and an early-morning flight,” he said, describing the development as part of the push to improve connectivity to the islands.
The minister linked the aviation issue to wider infrastructure demands. He said the administration has made water upgrades a “national critical priority,” and is managing airport, road and utility planning in tandem to support economic activity as travel volumes grow.
Rymer stressed that the airport project was not his only priority during the UK meetings. He said the delegation also discussed “economic activities, addressing the Constitution” and “the public register,” with further meetings set with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
He told residents that updates would be provided once negotiations progress.
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1. AA pretty much dominates US mainland esp Miami to Caribbean
2. Limitations in load factor (i.e. passengers). No one will fly here just because it’s here or because they expand the airport.
If you travel regularly via STT you would realize that in peak season 50% or more of their load are people to/from BVI. Not all will change but many will because STT is a dump and it’s very inconvenient if your main reason is to travel to/from BVI. The reality is that if the BVI wants to continue to have a viable tourism product and grow, we need an extended runway. This is not a question!
lol STT is a dump? Tola is stinking right along with them
The expanded airport will allow flights from all over continental USA. Including New York, Atlanta, and even the west coast and potentially even London, Paris, Madrid, etc. So no, it will not remain only AA via Miami.
Please stop spreading disinformation. The airport extention has only ever been about flights to the East Coast of the USA.
The rest is lies that lay hidden in the SECRET reports.
At no time has it ever been that we will have flights from Europe. People like to say it and push the lie, but it is not true.
Be clear.
The SECRET airport
WILL NOT BRING FLIGHTS FROM EUROPE
WILL NOT HAVE FLIGHTS TO LAS VEGAS
WILL NOT HAVE FLIGHTS TO LONDON
WILL NOT HAVE FLIGHTS TO LOS ANGELES
WILl NOT HAVE FLIGHTS TO SAN FRANSCISCO.
You may get to New York. Possibly to Chicago.
Yes Atlanta, Orlando, Miami (doing that already).
People of VI they are deceiving you.
This is only about money and certain elites and politicians getting their hands on it.
This is not about impoving your lives.
VIGILATE
Wasnt it dis government, dis minister and he premier who had a nonstop party for AA flying into BVI? He brag that it was dem who bring AA so dat mean it is dem who responsible for de monopoly and high prices.
Wasn’t it this government that told AA to keep prices high?
A lot of the problem is the high cost of fuel in the BVI and the high cost of landing fees. The cost of everything in the BVI is high. When I buy grocery items in the BVI the cost is double and sometimes triple of the cost in the USA. Even if another airline comes in don’t expect the cost to go down. Southwest has doubled the cost of tickets in the las year. More than AA for the same route.
Dah when yo harden
But it is a Non-Stop Party, or you forget so soon.
keeps the riff raff heading to STT
The VIP celebrated this “achievement. They threw a party after to celebrate it.
Now they moaning? Maybe they should have done better negotiating.
Please read the article, fair is fair. When the AA flight was launched the government said it’s only a temporary fix and that the airport runway needs to be extended. Now he is saying that AA is expensive because they have a monopoly whereas if the runway is extended you would have a better variety hence, better pricing.
Stop whining and just DO SOMETHING about it. Come to us with results!!!!
You clearly saw the headline and came straight to the comments. He is doing something about it which is the point. Read the article before commenting.
I wonder if the Hon. Minister for Communications and Works asked for some assistance for proper engineering for roads drainage and repairs. Fixing of water infrastructure and sewage system. I just took a short walk pass the Wickhams Service Station and Sewage outfall on Wickhams Cay and stopped to give a group of tourist directions to the Botanic Gardens. The stench of sewage is so strong in that location and they are elderly persons walking around Road Town. We have to take pride in our surroundings. We have to do better with the resources that we have. Expanding the airport and taking on a project of that magnitude while is needed is way over the head of this young Government. Why? They are not proving that they can complete small projects quickly and competently. Driving to East End/Long Look is a nightmare for over a year now. Fix the roads before the airport because frankly we are not looking forward to you spending hundreds of millions on a runway project and drop the ball on that too. We hate to complain and would love to big you up and congratulate you on the baby steps made, but we drive around Tortola and are frustrated and sad to be honest.
The AA flights RT from EIS to MIA are really great. Please work with AA to get the fares down. Once the fares are fair this will be the preferred way to travel to the BVI. Hands down. Beats STT and SJU any day. Especially if you live here!
Extension of the runway is a 21st century necessity but for God sake ensure there is no chance of skullduggery and coruption.
As a few others have suggested, get the British Royal Engineers who did the previous extension many years ago to do the extension and avoid the inevitable commess and corruption.
Does noone understand economics? Even in September the flights operated with very good loads. Iy is supply and demand. Demand exceeding supply is keeping fares high. They are a business so why wouldnt they charge if they can still sell the seats.
bring in spirit thats all
Look at all the airport fees BVI collects on the airline tickets. You think they’ll get cheaper?? This airport is going to be very costly for the BVI, in many surprising ways.
LEAVE THE RUN WAY AND TAKE CARE OF OTHER URGENT GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLES BUSINESS.
Direct to JFK
TAKE care of the Roads. We have a loan for $100 million for over a year now and there is still no sign of any road improvement in the territory except for the short segment up Macnamara hill. The repairs out Pariquita Bay to East End is a total waste of money and that contractor should not get another penny.
Let’s buy a couple airplanes and start up BVI Airways… again
Let us see the business case,
– the airport expansions needs to be paid for (how and when)
– passengers need activities and lodging
– if we plan to spend 400 million what are the alternatives (reliable water, schools, roads affordable food)
This should not be “a done deal” the public needs to be involved, we will pay with increased costs for government services, taxes and potential lack of investment in critical services like an island wide dependable water supply. This should not be done to move public funds to private hands and indebt the country. We can also examine real economic impact of airport expansions in the Caribbean. (Antigua, St. Vincent, Barbados) We must see the business case because the airport is dead most of the time and cannot pay for it’s expansion, people don’t even pay for parking.