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VI Airlink ‘basically just holding on’– Neville C. Brathwaite Jr

- patiently awaiting borders to reopen
A fleet of aircraft belonging to VI Airlink at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island. Photo: Facebook
Local airline VI Airlink’s Chief Engineer Mr Neville C. Brathwaite Jr has revealed that the airline, like others around the world, is holding on for life, as their revenue streams have become virtually non-existent because of the impact of the Novel Coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Team of Reporters
Local airline VI Airlink’s Chief Engineer Mr Neville C. Brathwaite Jr has revealed that the airline, like others around the world, is holding on for life, as their revenue streams have become virtually non-existent because of the impact of the Novel Coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Team of Reporters
BEEF ISLAND, VI- Local airline VI Airlink’s Chief Engineer Mr Neville C. Brathwaite Jr has revealed that the airline, like others around the world, is holding on for life as their revenue streams have become virtually non-existent because of the impact of the Novel Coronavirus pandemic.

He said the company is patiently awaiting the borders to reopen.

“The big airlines have said it; we are all in this same position as an airline…of course, we are not untouched. We are basically just holding on,” he said.

Mr Brathwaite Jr was at the time responding to questions from the host of the Honestly Speaking Radio Programme, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline on Monday, May 11, 2020.

Opportunity on the horizon

The Virgin Islander pilot added: “I tell people all the time if an airplane isn’t flying, it still has to spend money. We have the ability to operate domestically, and I always say our domestic route is our community service because of the price.

But the international routes, being able to bring BV Islanders home, I foresee it as an opportunity for us to get involved, not only with being able to make a little something to keep us going but also the repatriation of our citizens coming home.”

When the phased reopening of the border commences next month it will be open only to Virgin Islanders, Belongers and others with resident status who are desirous of returning home.

Meanwhile, Mr Brathwaite Jr said the company utilised the curfew to maintain its fleet.

He stated that the airline serves the local line, within the Territory, and outside the Territory to include the United States Virgin Islands, Antigua, St Kitts and internationally, to the US mainland, as well as some South American countries.

19 Responses to “VI Airlink ‘basically just holding on’– Neville C. Brathwaite Jr”

  • Support your Own? (12/05/2020, 13:01) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    Sad there’s no comment of anyone in support of BVI VI AirLink. Says a lot about the community
  • Love (12/05/2020, 13:10) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    I love this company they always go above and beyond to make us happy. Really appreciate their service and would never forget that extra mile. Trust that in the midst of this crisis you would bounce back even bigger and better. Nuff love and respect.
  • Sad (12/05/2020, 13:52) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    So sorry to read this. There are going to be many businesses in the BVI, lost to COVID19. Sad that the UK chooses not to help the BVI citizens and businesses. So many say Orange Man bad, but he got money to Americans and American businesses. I do not support BVI independence. We do now see clearly that the UK is not interested in the BVI. If they think the politicians are so corrupt, then why didn't they do like they did in Turks and Caicos? Why is the UK punishing the innocent people of the BVI, in a time of pandemic? Please explain. Is it their plan to see us collapse? Final revenge? While they open their door to millions of African and Middle Eastern people, giving them all kinds of money, free education, free medical, and free accommodations. But the BVI, in a pandemic, what will they give? Sorry, but I feel like most people are not getting that this pandemic will harm the BVI beyond our wildest comprehension, especially financially.
    • # Sad. U sounding good (12/05/2020, 17:57) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      Here is part of the BVI problem The nasty, Distasteful and Nasty bloggs against their own black Caribbean people, that the world reads... We need to ban thise blogs..
      • TIT FOR TAT (12/05/2020, 20:35) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
        It is a war of words against each other. The expat say more bad things about the locals than the locals say about expats. But the expat scream the loudest. They call down the territory and the local people and then expect the locals to ignore. Some of the hardships that they experience in their own country if they were experiencing it here they blame it on locals and say it is because locals do not like expat. In some islands the people travel many miles to get cover19 care packages and if they do not have their ID they had to leave without it one have hungry children at home also sick family members. In the BVi everyone was treated with love. Did any one ask you for an ID? But you all continue to cry down the Territory. You say all manner of bad things but nothing good. You all lives have improved because of the BVI. We love you all but we still have to look out for ourselves because as one of you blogged you all are laughing at us.
        • (13/05/2020, 21:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Honestly more expats say bad things about the locals because there are less locals..many locals are xenophobic ( as well as persons from other islands towards others) and use foolish terms like ‘island people’ to use as derogatory terms...Which is like a random races calling us ’niggards’ when it means a miserable stingy person and not knowing how that person is and that they are obviously the embodiment of misery..Dumb right?... Stop. A next hurricane season is upon us and its starting earlier. Let us prepare and be here for each other. Let us be respectful of each other and let us put the malice aside...Do not embody that word people!! And I mean both sides of the fence.
  • flyer (12/05/2020, 15:08) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are under your wings Neville! You are going through a short period of turbulence clear skies are ahead. This is just a "shakedown".
  • y (12/05/2020, 15:52) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr Brathaite is y very nice man during harecain arma he helped a lot of people to get out my son pray d best for you hold on God will see you thought don't give behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining
    • Hmm (12/05/2020, 17:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Great Airline.Need to do a better Job of Advertising their businesss
    • need writing classes? (12/05/2020, 17:46) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      writing classes available call 699-7656
      • @need writing classes? (13/05/2020, 18:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I do but after reading what you wrote I will look somewhere else.
  • guy (12/05/2020, 16:33) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    He need that 7.2m now
  • Firm and strong (12/05/2020, 17:36) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hang on Neville the tide is about to change....
  • We in Trouble .. (12/05/2020, 17:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Help them please....They are so useful.. After the borders open will they be going to st. Kitts.?
  • Waiting... (12/05/2020, 19:15) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    How long must any of those airlines up at airport remain without a hangar? If this is costing them money then send the bill to VIP and Airport Authority. Clearly, a lease was violated and the land that the hangar sits on is still without a shed. Also, Mr. Brathwaite Jr. needs to come out and say he will need a bailout soon. After all you are on a radio program for a reason. It will not look good that you will cut jobs soon and can’t build the hangar when ready. Please stay strong.
  • Rubber Duck (13/05/2020, 06:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Same position as the hotels, restaurants, charter companies, dive companies and many others.

    If the government wants any businesses at all left at the end of this they had better think about doing something, and soon.
  • airport (13/05/2020, 09:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The stimulus package should include a bail out for the local airlines...mean BVI-owned airlines.
    • You will be surprised (13/05/2020, 11:09) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      It has a few locals that own other airlines... not because they white or you don’t see them in public complaining.
  • e (13/05/2020, 14:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ need writing class who is the teacher ? not u period


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