Business View Caribbean October/November 2018

86 87 of this year, we should be on our way in terms of building back our hangars and erecting two new ones.” Regarding the expansion of flights, Fraser notes, “That too, is part of our master plan.When we last spoke, we were tendering for companies to bid for expanding the runway, which would accommodate those flights. Since then, we’ve had a shift in terms of tendering and the airport has decided upon a PPP, a public-private partnership, with bidders to come in to finance, build, and operate the airport over the next few years.We’ve contracted a firm out of Canada to take care of that whole process for us, in terms of inviting bidders and evaluating the bids.We should have at least six or seven bidders to finance the expansion, build the expansion, and operate the entire opera- tion.We hope to have that entire process wrapped up by next THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS AIRPORT AUTHORITY PREFERRED VENDORS n Joëlle joelle@ianadolphusthomas.com Joëlle has a relaxing modern lounge complete with AC and TVs, perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy any meal of the day while they sit.We have a range of small meals, healthy snacks and drinks, for those on the go. Drinks from local juices to fine wine and champagne. Now offering VIP seating! Come and visit us to enjoy a new level of comfort never experienced at the Terrance B. Lettsome Inter- national Airport. n Popular www.popular.vi/mobile-banking March– evaluating and choosing a bidder. Then we expect that, at some point next year, the bidder will take over the operation of the airport. So, we’re still on track for having those direct flights from Miami and, possibly, New York.” “Two years is a good time frame to be back up to where we were, provided we don’t get hit with another catastrophic hurricane,” Fraser concludes, optimistically. “Within the next year, we should have our recovery monies in hand, so by next August, hopefully, we will back up. Certainly by the end of 2019, if all goes well, we should be back to where we were prior to the hurricane.” It’s been quite a bumpy ride for BVIAA over the past several years. But with adequate funding, including some low-interest loans provided by agencies of the United Kingdom, plus the dedi- cation of its Board of Directors and its approximately 180 employ- ees, the British Virgin Islands Airports Authority is looking forward to some brighter skies ahead.