Business View Caribbean | May 2016

30 May 2016 - Business View Caribbean Business View Caribbean - May 2016 31 The British Virgin Islands Airports Authority Providing safe, secure, and efficient gateways to the world The British Virgin Islands Airports Authority (BVIAA) is a limited liability organization which owns and operates all airports within the British Virgin Islands. It was in- corporated in 2005, after the passage of the Airports Act of 2003, allowing the formation of the company to manage airport operations. Its sole shareholder is the Financial Secretary of the BVI government. The BVIAA is governed by a Board of Directors who meet on a monthly basis to implement its policies and direct the affairs of the company in accordance with the provi- sions of the Overseas Territories Aviation Regulations (OTARS) and the Airports Act. Denniston Fraser is the Managing Director of the BVIAA and also serves in the capacity of Executive Member of the Board. He explains the origins of the Authority: “Prior to the company being formed, the airport was run by a regular government department (the Depart- ment of Civil Aviation in the Ministry of Communica- tion), which did both the operation of the airport and the regulation of the airport,” he begins. “In 2001, we had an ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) audit that showed up the discrepancies in terms of us having to operate and still regulate ourself. It created some conflict, hence, the reason for the separation of the two services. Since the formation of the Airport Au- thority, it has been solely concentrated on operating the airport, while the Civil Aviation Department, which is now run, primarily, by a subsidiary of the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) in London, called Air Safety Support International, concern themselves with the regulation of the airport.” Fraser and his staff of 194 operate three airports in the BVI: the Beef Island Airport, renamed the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport in 2002; the Auguste George Airport in Anegada; and the Taddy Bay Airport on the island of Virgin Gorda. In addition, the BVIAA operates a water aerodrome in the North Sound and helipads on Beef Island. Since its incorporation, the company’s operating ex- penses have been underwritten by a government sub- AT A GLANCE WHO: The British Virgin Islands Airports Author- ity WHAT: Owner and operator of all airports in the British Virgin Islands WHERE: Town Tortola, BVI WEBSITE : www.bviaa.com