Business View Caribbean - Dec 2023

39 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 10, ISSUE 8 EXPANDING HORIZONS: THE BVI AIRPORTS AUTHORITY’S VISI LEAP INTO 2024 he British Virgin Islands Airports Authority, a critical facilitator of the archipelago’s vibrant tourism industry, oversees a trio of airports: the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Tortola and smaller yet significant facilities on Anegada and Virgin Gorda. Kurt Menal, the Managing Director, encapsulates the authority’s scope: “We manage the primary gateway into the territory, the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, along with the airports on Anegada and Virgin Gorda. These airports are vital conduits, not just for the nearly 60 islands and cays that comprise the BVI, but also for our burgeoning tourism sector.” Under the stewardship of the BVI government, this network of airports juggles a diverse range of responsibilities, from air traffic control to fire services, all managed by a workforce of approximately 200. The airports have historically seen around 205,000 passenger movements yearly, a figure poised to soar. “We’re on track to reach about 250,000 passengers by the end of this year, and we’re aiming for 300,000 next year,” he reveals, underscoring an ambitious growth trajectory. “Our ultimate goal is to exceed 400,000 by 2027.” T Explore how the BVI Airports Authority is reshaping Caribbean travel with innovative strategies, collaborative efforts, and a relentless focus on enhancing the visitor experience.