Airlines express interest in direct flights to VI from US
This is according to Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), who has disclosed that over the past several weeks, his Government has been writing to airlines, encouraging and inviting them to conduct direct flights between the Virgin Islands and the US mainland utilising the current runway length at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island.
Direct flights possible later this year
“The feedback has been positive from all the airlines contacted,” Premier Fahie told the media at a press conference on March 25, 2022.
He said one particular airline is presently expanding its fleet and is optimistic about starting this service by the end of the third quarter of this year – based on the discussions taking place. He said the others are looking at their fleet configuration.
“Another airline, which heard about what we are trying to do, reached out to us because they have recently made some additions to their fleet, and they now have an aircraft that is capable of conducting flights between Beef Island and Miami, possibly three days per week.”
‘Technical discussions’ underway
The Premier said “technical discussions” are underway with this airline to work out the logistics involved and “we are optimistic that things will work out for this airline to introduce the direct flights very soon.”
Hon Fahie said the public will be kept updated as progress is made.
Expansions of airport being addressed
In the meantime, Premier Fahie said the Recovery and Development Agency (RDA) and the other relevant stakeholders are continuing the technical work with respect to the expansions of both airports at Beef Island and Virgin Gorda.
He said updates will also be provided as these technical works progress, “so that persons can be fully informed of these projects.”
The ousted National Democratic Party (NDP) Government had sought to establish direct flights to VI from Miami by investing in a defunct airline. In the end they ended up doling out $7.2M; however, not direct flights were realized.
The Government of the Virgin Islands has been seeking to recover the funds via the courts.
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30 Responses to “Airlines express interest in direct flights to VI from US”
I really hope Fahie learn that these Airlines are full of tricks, Some kind a deal the Airline will be looking to get easy money, they already heard BVI is easy money, then within a year pull out and leave..
what more you're going to do with the money keep it.
remember there's not even a proper sc hool in the bvi we are watching and listening to you sir enjoyed while you can.
What a waste of time even talking that noise. Stupidness.
Nonetheless, it has been a minute, a few decades, since I labored and dozed through Airline Econ 101, trying to complete the class and check a block. However, I vaguely remember a few key airline management metrics and terms, regarding passenger airline management. These include Available Seat Mile (ASM), Revenue Per Passenger Mile (RPM), Breakeven Load Factor (BLF), Passenger Load Factor (PLF), and Direct Flights, Non-stop Flights. Nonetheless, I will only briefly comment on Direct v. Non-stop Flights and PLF here.
My understanding is that Direct and Non-stop Flights don’t mean the same thing. For example, a Non-stop flight goes as the crow flies direct from Point A to Point B. On the other hand, a Direct flight, though retaining the same flight number, goes from Point A to Point B and can entail intermediate stops at Points C and D.
Moreover, PLF, a metric of an airline or flight capacity utilization and the ratio of ASM: RPM, is one of the more critical passenger airline management.l metric. It is important to note that the airline business is capital-, labour, safety, etc, -intensive with typically a razor-thin profit margin.
Every passenger flight taking off and landing incurs a fix cost that is covered mostly by paying passengers(note the focus on paying customers) and some cargo. Operating an airline is a for profit business and just operating at the BLF is not an option. An airline will not start a route if the PLF is not there, and if the PLF is not there on an existing route, it will be discontinued.
Some governments in order to attract an airline may agree to subsidize its operations if the PLF falls below the targeted PLF. Consequently, the VI government like other governments in small locales, play a key a role in attracting a flight. The discussion thus far has been on a few metrics; however, focus is needed on the airport’s air and land sides infrastructure, among other factors.
Moreover, Anegada is flat, rising at most 30-35’ above sea level. With climate change and sea level rise, this may pose a challenge for Anegada and Anegadians as an entrepôt and overall for the VI. Advanced planning is needed for Anegada, facing climate change. Further, Anegada is remote from the VI commercial and business center, and during major tropical events, it is one of the first areas needing to be evacuated.
Extension of T.B Lettsome Airport has been in the world for many years without much progress. schools buildings need to be repaired, and new ones need to be built. Sewage works far from finish. Protection against financial infringement against our finances not yet established. The CoI report not yet announced. Political discrimination has not yet been overcomed, etc., etc., etc.
With all these and more unseen, and unknown by the general public, should we be overjoy to read of Air Liners wanting to fly direct flights from the US mainland to the BVI. For many this is news, for me this is old shoes talking.
My view, and opinion been expressed. Thank you for allowing me.
Daily, commercial flights from Miami to the BVI will be incredibly popular and there are aircraft which can accommodate such flights. This will allow for easier and faster transit to the BVI, without the expense, time and added problems that the runway expansion and subsequent increased development and traffic with create.
Get this done and get it done quickly. October 2022 should be the goal
I think its pretty simple to understand that airlines are in the business of making money, and well, empty flights do not make money. You may say well their is a demand to the BVI which is true. The issue however is not the demand but instead what the aircraft can realistically perform to.
On the paper, it may all seem solid, however in the real world environment, its a bit different. Runway length is usually the biggest determining factor as to the amount of weight the aircraft can carry. This weight is then split into different sections, which is the weight of the aircraft/fuel/crew/ passengers/cargo etc. Unfortunately, many real world complexities take away from this available weight such as; additional fuel for alternate airports, MELs, changes in the weather such as standing water or winds.
A great example are tailwinds. Depending on the aircraft, every 1kt can reduce the available weight by 6000+lbs. Expecting enroute icing- 10,000+ lbs. At large airports with long runways, because the highest available weight is available, any reductions for weather, or MELs for even fuel still leave enough available weight for all passengers bag and cargo.
The available weight from beef island at 4,600ft will be minimal. Alternate fuel will always be added cause well- Miami always has storms, so that minimal weight is reduced. Beef Island regularly gets rain, so a further reduction for a wet runway. Depending on the crosswinds, calculations for tailwinds departure may be used, cutting down even more. Believe it or not- this happens out of STT occasionally even w 7000ft of runway and the most powerful narrow-body available.
All in- regardless what fleet type you fly into beef island, it will never fly 100% full to Miami. 70%-80% on the best of days. Even lower for bad weather. Unfortunately no airline will care for this unless they will receive assistance to meet the reduction. If they not making money- they will not do it for very long.