Business View Caribbean - Dec 2023

41 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 10, ISSUE 8 Post-COVID, the BVI Airport Authority is significantly rebounding, with Menal crediting proactive air service development and new partnerships, including those formed at recent Routes World conferences. The major milestone is securing American Airlines’ first non-stop flight from Miami, starting in June 2023, marking a historic moment for Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport and the BVI. This service is enhancing connectivity, especially from the US Eastern Seaboard. The Authority is expanding its reach and elevating service quality, with 60% commercial traffic and 40% focusing on ultra-high-end general aviation. Virgin Gorda is welcoming Tradewinds Air’s high-end service from Puerto Rico, while Cape Air’s regular flights boost connectivity to this elite destination. Anegada maintains its exclusive status, operating primarily for charters and emergency flights. ANTICIPATING UPGRADES AND TRANSFORMATIONS As the British Virgin Islands Airports Authority gears up for 2024, a pivotal year of transformation and expansion looms on the horizon. The authority is responding to the increasing traffic and proactively shaping the future of air travel in the region. Menal delves into the intricacies of these upcoming changes, starting with the long-term vision of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport. “The long-term vision is to expand the Terrance B. Lettsome International to accommodate larger widebody aircraft, enhancing connectivity and supporting our thriving tourism sector,” he outlines. This vision includes updating the last master plan from 2017, aligning it with current realities and the ambitions of the government and the Airports Authority. “We’ve sent out requests for proposals for a business case, which will define the project scope, cost, and necessary upgrades in terms of terminal, landside, airside, and technical aspects,” he explains, highlighting the comprehensive approach being adopted. In Virgin Gorda, a recent refurbishment of the BVI AIRPORT AUTHORI TY