UPDATE: Anegada airport operating as non-certificated aerodrome
The airport is also operating as a non-certificated aerodrome with a category 2 Rescue and Fire Fighting Service.
The BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA), in a press release issued today, April 25, 2013 said it was informing the travelling public that the Auguste George Airport in Anegada was reopened on April 24, 2013 at 12 noon for Domestic Flights only.
"The closure of the aerodrome on Wednesday 17th April 2013 came as a result of a suspension of the aerodrome’s certificate. The Auguste George Airport, Anegada is now operating as a non-certificated aerodrome with a category 2 Rescue and Fire Fighting service," the press release stated.
Before now, the airport authorities had been mum about the issue. THe BVIAA has still not clearly stated the reason or reasons for the aerodrome's certfication being pulled. There were initial reports that the ill-prepared firetruck dispatched to the airport was the reason for the airport closing.
But according to reliable sources, while the issue of the fire truck has been addressed, that of securing the perimeter of the airport has arisen resulting in it not being re-certified to allow it to return to worthiness. It is said that stray animals including cows are often on the airstrip in breach of the safety codes and as this news site understands it will not be reopened unless all the challenges have been resolved.
Meanwhile, the BVIAA is advising persons wishing to travel to Anegada by air to contact their airline
representative to confirm their reservations.
Please see previous story posted on April 22, 2013
UPDATE: Air travel via Anegada remains impossible
Ingress and egress to the sister island of Anegada continues to be a major challenge to persons and a number of airlines as the airport continues to be closed.
The airport at anegada was closed suddenly last week when several persons were turned away and advised to use the ferry service to get off the island. They were expecting to board a VI Airlink flight bound for the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport at Beef Island, Tortola. Despite the fact that those passengers were told that they were going to be refunded their airfares, the loss continues to be felt by aircraft companies who have since cancelled a number of flights with no word of compensation, according to a source.
This news site has been making valiant efforts to contact the relevant authorities to have their explanation and comments on the situation but to no avail. Efforts would be made today to seek an answer from the responsible Ministry.
According to reliable sources, while the issue of the fire truck has been addressed, that of securing the perimeter of the airport has arisen resulting in it not being re-certified to allow it to return to worthiness. It is said that stray animals including cows are often on the air stirp in breach of the safety codes and as this news site understands it will not be reopened unless all the challenges have been resolved.
On the other hand, VI Airlink has confirmed that it has since had to cancel a list of charter flights to and from Anegada.
Sources have also informed us that the following day when the certificate was pulled from the Airport, another airline, Shoreline Aviation, had to cancel their filght/s of approximately 20 - 30 passengers for that single day. Further information from this company is being pursued.
See previous story posted on April 18, 2013
Anegada airport closed allegedly over issue with fire truck!
- VI Airlink passengers made to take ferry to get off island
Passengers scheduled to board a VI Airlink flight destined for the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport from the Auguste George Airport in Anegada was well disappointed yesterday April 17, 2013 when they were informed that they would have to resort to using the ferry to get off the sister island.
When Virgin Islands News Online was alerted to the plight of the four passengers, contact was made with the management of VI Airlink and spoke with Mr Neville C. Brathwaithe Jr. who did confirm the situation and was deeply frustrated.
He said the aircraft had arrived at the Anegada Airport for a 1 P.M. charter when it was realized that the airport was closed. "The airport certificate was pulled so we could not pick up the passengers and we had to ask them to take the ferry." He explained that the root of the problem stemmed from the circumstances surrounding the airport's fire truck, which allegedly did not meet the right code.
According to Brathwaite the problem reportedly stemmed from the switching of a fire and rescue truck at Anegada for another from Virgin Gorda.
He said that because he was deeply frustrated he couldn't say much more other than that he was told by the Operations Manager at the Anegada Airport, word of mouth, "nothing concreted or binding in writing, so am waiting to see," that the airport's authority will refund the passengers and VI Airlink.
Several efforts were made to contact the relevant authorities for comment on the situation, all of which proved futile. The office of Managing Director of the BVI Airports Authority, Mr Denniston Fraser, indicated that he was in a meeting. Later calls to his mobile phone also proved futile. BVI Airports Authority's Larry George said he couldn't not give any information or confirmation and directed this news site to the authority's Information Officer who could not be reached.
However, an authentic and reliable source said the problem was a minor one that will be rectified today April 18, 2013. According to the source there was a issue with either the water, foam or dry chemical, which are required to be in place on the fire truck. The mechanic was allegedly a no-show for work yesterday and as such the problem could not have been rectified, resulting in the closure of the airport.
This news agency was assured that the airport will be re-opened today as the issue will definitely be corrected.
It was also explained that the switching of the fire trucks in itself was not an issue. This was done because there is usually a more air traffic activity at Virgin Gorda and the authoprities felt it necessary to have the larger fire truck at that airport.
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31 Responses to “UPDATE: Anegada airport operating as non-certificated aerodrome”
Why is it that whenever another island needs a vehicle, Anegada has to always suffer and given old garbagge that is no use. They said that they have the outer islands at heart but that is just talk. Why do we have to suffer? This being publishized like this is only making matter worst for the island and everyone knows that this island only means of lively hood is tourism.
Confession is always good for the soul.