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Office space in Road Town, but still no flights for BVI Airways

After three missed dates, BVI Airways is yet to take off the ground. Photo: Team of Reporters/File
BVI Airways has announced that it has set up an office space in Commerce House in Road Town, Tortola. Photo: Internet Source
BVI Airways has announced that it has set up an office space in Commerce House in Road Town, Tortola. Photo: Internet Source
Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL), left, said his government pumped $7Million into BVI Airways in exchange for direct flights between Miami and Beef Island. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL), left, said his government pumped $7Million into BVI Airways in exchange for direct flights between Miami and Beef Island. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Many critics have not gotten over the fact that the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government bailed out a defunct BVI Airways to the tune off $7Million with public funds.

BVI Airways, which had started business some years ago but abruptly went out of business in 2014, owing the BVI Airports Authority close to US$100,000, is back again.

After three promises from Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) about start dates to have flights from Miami, Florida, USA to the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island, it has raised more speculations after not one date has come to pass.

Premier Smith, who claimed that his government bailout with $7Million pumped into BVI Airways will be “a game changer” in exchange for direct flights between Miami and Beef Island, is yet to come back to the people with a new date for flights to take off, after the three dates the public was told, October, November and December, never happened.

Office in Road Town

Now comes word that BVI Airways has set up shop via an office located at Commerce House, Road Town, the capital city of Tortola. This is according to their press release issued late last week. The Government paid for air carrier has also set up an operations centre at the Terrance B. Lettsome Airport.

Critics, including the Opposition Virgin Islands Party, civil society and the media have also hammered at how the agreement is written because, if a plane never takes off, the tax payers will not be refunded one dime out of the $7M.

It was unearthed through many questions in the House of Assembly from the Opposition last year that many of the requirements from the United States Federal Aviation Administration are still to be approved, as well from Air Safety Support International (ASSI), the United Kingdom regulators used by the Virgin Islands.

The Company also announced that it has purchased two planes that are to be used on the route.

26 Responses to “Office space in Road Town, but still no flights for BVI Airways”

  • ABC (19/01/2017, 15:44) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hope they hiring locals
  • Jack B Nimble (19/01/2017, 15:49) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    To me this is the worst deal ever the biggest theft of tax payers money. I try twisting this deal in every angle trying to make sense of it. Still can't see the sense in it. If it's to bring tourist to the BVI. Then that's more than enough money to recreate music festival, more than enough money to make all our Festivals grand wherver in the world Action is tourist will go. Right now tourist from the Caribbean, Caribbean people especially the tourist from the Virgin islands including Tortola. We are the 3rd most spent tourist in the world.. Check it and we like fun. We pay to have fun.
    • @Jack B Nimble. true that. (19/01/2017, 16:00) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Whenever I am travelling and I call or book a hotel and rent a car online, I get treat with royalty. They love the Virgin islands tourist.. we don't only rent we blow the bar.. We maybe the number one spender in the world.. Cater for us. St Thomas, St John's. St Croix, Puerto Rico and BVI. Together we are the biggest spenders When we travel...
  • Ha Ha (19/01/2017, 15:58) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Paying rent for no reason
  • My boy (19/01/2017, 15:59) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
    @ jack B Nimble you sound like a fool that didnt go to school or went only
    on saturdays.
  • about time (19/01/2017, 16:24) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    Right vino now you back to talking about the real issues and wasting of money by this government causing us to fall. The devil is strong always trying to push you overboard. Surely them wicked ndp was rejoicing. Perhaps a good idea is for the government to see how this non-stop flight thingy get a long before we go spend $153 mil more. LMFAO look a mess coming.
    • @ Finally (19/01/2017, 17:18) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      what shit i reading from that blog? I only read vino because of them history of being fair, balance and objective..if they turn into an anti- one side or political site I taking my ad $$$$$ to hot press BAM Keep the good works up VINO you have been fair, and you report on ALL matters!
  • Grumpy (19/01/2017, 16:32) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a perfect example of why NOT to trust the Premier about the need and the cost and the company proposed to build, the new airport. He does not think or do his homework about anything that he suddenly thinks is a good idea. I doubt the BVI planes will ever fly here from Miami and in the meantime the $7 million is making someone rich. Transparency in the new airport is a must!!!
    • new party (19/01/2017, 19:02) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      In my core, I think we are going to be OK after the next elections
  • dog (19/01/2017, 17:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    This deal alone should chase the NDP out of power
    • time (19/01/2017, 19:30) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      A little over 2 years before election 2019.
      Will we see a repeat of 2007 when this NDP government got 2 seats.
      It is time for you to start listening to the people.
      We may be bauling now but there is power in the ballot.
  • teacher john (19/01/2017, 17:19) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    who got the big eat out of this deal? but then again the Chinese deal is better
  • yea (19/01/2017, 17:32) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who have eyes will see... talk done
  • CBP (19/01/2017, 19:38) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Unless they are going to have US clearance to go into the US, I would rather go though STT any day
  • Boo (19/01/2017, 21:33) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The charade continues
  • The Auditor (19/01/2017, 23:00) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why are we loosing sleep over the folly which Dr. Smith continuing to do? The Brits. continue to be quiet and the opposition is hopelessly weak. There can be no doubt that the solution to this pathetic and unfortunate development rests with the level headed members of the Premier's Cabinet. Ronnie has the necessary support in the Cabinet to lead the pack. The question is, does he have the balls to do what is necessary. Time will tell.
  • voter (20/01/2017, 06:42) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Both vip n ndp must go!
  • Donnal Trumpeta (20/01/2017, 10:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I just think that direct flight to MIA is not going to be profitable, if ur goin to New York using Bvi Airways ustill have to buy another ticket from Miami, I think BVI airway make more sense to have direct short flight to PR and DR maybe once a day, with PR u would have same connection to as Miami to the mainland and as to DR u you have connection to so many country to Europe,
    • Yes (20/01/2017, 11:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      No $hit Sherlock. Why can't the Cabinet see that as well?

      News flash! No need for an extended runway, new to the region aircraft, or 7 million dollar gamble, to operate your very sensible proposal.
  • Bandit (20/01/2017, 11:18) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    By the time this airline gets off the ground, money done.
  • Windy (20/01/2017, 11:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The FAA won't look at an application until it is first approved by the home regulators ( ASSI ) . Could be a year or more. Such poor planning
  • Spy (20/01/2017, 11:40) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    How can we sure this is not a Ponzi scheme? Did the Government really check these people?
  • wow (20/01/2017, 14:11) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    this looks like a scam
  • Belonger 1 (26/01/2017, 15:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What I don't understand is if the government is investing 7 million dollars in this venture to have direct flights to/from the USA then why would the same government want to extend the runway and try to lure major airlines to fly non-stop to the BVI and directly compete with a fledgling BVI Airways? Only in the BVI could this happen, start up a business and then try and bring in the competition to put you out of business.


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