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UK sees airport expansion as an 'investment' to territory- Hon Rymer

- said VI has one of the shortest airport runways in Caribbean
September 20th, 2024 | Tags: expansion airport runway Kye M. Rymer UK investment
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has pointed out that the airport runway at Beef Island is 4600 feet, while others in the Caribbean are well over 7000 and 8000 feet. Photo: Google Earth
While arguing that the Virgin Islands needs to invest more in its vision and infrastructure, Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has reminded that the United Kingdom (UK) is in support of the Virgin Islands expanding its airport runway and noted that this project must be done now but the correct way. Photo: YouTube
While arguing that the Virgin Islands needs to invest more in its vision and infrastructure, Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has reminded that the United Kingdom (UK) is in support of the Virgin Islands expanding its airport runway and noted that this project must be done now but the correct way. Photo: YouTube
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While arguing that the Virgin Islands needs to invest more in its vision and infrastructure, Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has reminded that the United Kingdom (UK) is in support of the Virgin Islands expanding its airport runway and noted that this project must be done now but the correct way.

The Minister also argued that the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport runway is one of the shortest in the Caribbean and is a problem for some airlines that would like to add the VI to its destination.

Speaking during the debate of the Virgin Islands Tourist Board Amendment Bill 2024, at the Continuation of the Nineteenth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly (HoA) today, September 20, 2024, Hon Rymer said for too long the VI has watched other countries in the region invest in their tourism, “invest in their infrastructure. Everybody is expanding, extending their runways, and we sit down and say well they can come through, they can in transit in those places, whereas people want to get to their destination in the quickest time and get to enjoy the island.”

He also said there have been many studies done on the airport expansion but what was never done was the Green Book Business Case. “This is what is required by the United Kingdom. They agreed that this needs to be done.”

UK support

The Minister said during a visit to the United Kingdom, the VI government was given support for the airport expansion. “Madam Speaker, they told us in that meeting that the airport is an investment to the territory and the airport expansion would not be tied into the debt of the country, because of the urgency, because they see the need for it.”

Hon Rymer said the VI is moving right along with the business case and that Cabinet just approved the strategic outline case and, “we are moving to the other stages of the business case, and hopefully by the end of the year we will decide how the airport will be extended, how it will be funded and hopefully move to the next stage.

“We are doing it right and correct and we are at the stage where we will soon be engaging the public as to this airport expansion,” Hon Rymer stated.

Regarding the length of the airport, Hon Rymer pointed out that the airport runway at Beef Island is 4600 feet, while others in the Caribbean are well over 7000 and 8000 feet. 

According to the Works Minister, Financial Services can be taken away from the VI and there continue to be attempts at that; however, tourism is here to stay and this is why it is necessary to invest in the BVI Tourist Board and tourism.

23 Responses to “UK sees airport expansion as an 'investment' to territory- Hon Rymer”

  • time will tell (20/09/2024, 12:36) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    How soon we forget. Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition had all sorts to say when this first came up. They fought tooth and nail against it, only now to be on here talking about investment in the country. Really? They even went to see the airport in Gibraltar because the situation is similar. But nooooooooooooooooooo. Just like we can't seem to find a company to make a favorable deal with to take over Prospect Reef and develop it. Why not invite Margaritaville to create a vacation club in BVI? They have one in Stt. It justifies the need for the runway expansion and more direct flights. We gwine pay a consultant $75K to come and tell us this
  • Priorities (20/09/2024, 12:49) Like (30) Dislike (2) Reply
    What is wrong with these politicians that they can’t hear the citizens screaming for infrastructure?

    ROADS
    SEWAGE
    DRINKING WATER
    HEALTH CARE
  • taxpayer (20/09/2024, 14:44) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    “We are doing it right and correct and we are at the stage where we will soon be engaging the public as to this airport expansion,”
    Since it is in the public's interest maybe just maybe we should be involved from the beginning.
    This is called transparency.
  • AHEM (20/09/2024, 15:03) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
    they told us in that meeting that the airport is an investment to the territory and the airport expansion would not be tied into the debt of the country, because of the urgency, because they see the need for it

    Translation: Its not long enough for them to land whatever military plane & jet they have in mind if they need to.
    • @AHEM (20/09/2024, 19:37) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Trust this, their planes can land there easily. As for jets, if they really want they can have an aircraft carrier close by
  • 2024 (20/09/2024, 15:13) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    Hon Member ask the United Kingdom to contribute Money Wise towards the Project

    They contemplating takeover the territory so let the UK Help Fix Public Road; Electricity; Water Supply; Pockwood Dump; Sewage; lights on public roads and so on and on

    It is a British Overseas Territory still our passports says So
  • we don't need this extension (20/09/2024, 15:16) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    It is nuts! And a waste of money!
  • Big Richard (20/09/2024, 15:25) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Short on ethics also.
  • If UK (20/09/2024, 17:40) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    wants a longer runway at BI then the UK should build it with their money. No locals involved. All foreign labor with no work permits, heavy equipment and building materials imported duty free. The BVI government will have NO involvement. Once built and operating the UK will manage the 'new' airport' and reap any profits. Again the BVI government has NO involvement with the 'new' airport forever.
  • @ 2024 (20/09/2024, 19:37) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    OUR FORMER COACH , HAS ALREADY TOLD THEM " WE DOH WAHN R - YO MUNNIE / SO Y U WANNA GO AGAINST YO MASTER'S COMMAND , STICK TO THE SCRIPT AND KEEP HOLLERING .OUT " FREE THE DREW "
  • Norris Turnbull (21/09/2024, 01:01) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    THAT AIRPORT DOES NOT NEED TO BE EXTENDED AT THIS TIME. GET YOUR PRIORITIES RIGHY.
  • Forbidden Truth (21/09/2024, 01:31) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    UK THE UK
  • BVI People.. (21/09/2024, 07:33) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    BVI people are the problem and cause of BVI not progressing, because the cookie Jaw must be open for them to Take as much as they want....I can Remember NDP 1st term they had a commitment from China to build the Airport, they kick up against it...NDP also had a commitment from a wealthy investor to build a 4 star Hotel on Beef Island they kick up against in, these people weird and strange. China building Airports all over the Caribbean...As a matter afact they voted NDP out...The same things we are now struggling and fighting to get we would have already had..
  • Lb (21/09/2024, 09:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tell UK we want to hear it from them directly! Tell uk to fund it 100% since they haven’t done anything for us in 50 years! Lastly, get extra money to address all of our infrastructure woes, education and healthcare woes one time! If you are going to saddle the next 2 generations with this huge debt, then might as well get everything we need for the next 20 years one time!
  • Deluded (21/09/2024, 11:47) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    If Rhymer thinks he can do a deal with the Chinese, and get UK approval, he is more stupid than our ex-premier who is serving 11 years
  • PT 109 (21/09/2024, 13:47) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    You have to be someone who had the wrong upbringing to want to push for bring in more tourists to the BVI with the condition of the roads, the old cast away boats and vehicles all over the place. I was always told before you invite someone into your house to make sure it’s clean whatever condition your house is in would reflect on you and first impressions is what counts. About 80% of our tourist is on the water, we don’t have enough accommodation’s to hold the amount of people if you have big jets coming into the BVI every day. What the government should be doing is get an investor to build a resort on Prospect Reef Margaretville sounds like a good idea. The way this government acts seems like none of them have any common sense. Fix the place before you try to bring more tourists in it, for god’s sake try listening to some of the people who put you in those positions.
  • A Capitalist Who Loves the BVI (21/09/2024, 19:34) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    It's just amazing to me that the BVI populace doesn't get outraged by this so-called process. For years the government spoke about the necessity of the Green Book Business Case as a precondition of this project being undertaken - but now, it's become an afterthought. There is NO logical reason to have the Business Case report undertaken if the project's approval won't be dependent upon it - which it clearly won't. What's apparent is that as KPMG was computing the finanicals, it was clear that the increased airlift from larger aircraft (assuming that "if you build it, they will come" scenario) caused the project to not make financial sense compared to its cost.

    It's pretty obvious that KPMG's initial calculations got leaked the "powers that be," and that's why they have rushed this through - because they know that if they really had to defend it based upon the Green Book Business Case, they would not be able to do that. This project is so unnecessary and if undertaken, will plunge the BVI into a financial morass that will last for decades.
  • What? (22/09/2024, 07:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cannot imagine why Hon Rhymer and his friends in gov't wants to build a longer runway when we have so many other pressing issues: roads, garbage, education, healthcare. The list can go on. UK Gov't must just be laughing at the BVI. We may have the shortest runway in the Caribbean but we fall short of most of our regional neighbours..
  • Always easy (22/09/2024, 12:23) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Easy for UK to say that since they are not the ones funding an airport expansion. Unclear as to the basis for thinking the airport expansion would not be tied up with the debt of the country. Where is the money to build it coming from? Departure taxes would have to raise about $ 1.5 million a month on a 20 year loan of $ 200 million (it’ll no doubt cost more) at 6% to pay it. If you had 150 pax daily, 3 weeks a month, works out to $ 650 each, without even factoring revenues for facility maintenance. You could just add it as a tax to air fares here, but either way, it will add a substantial cost to coming here
    There is of course all the other stuff about bad roads, poor electricity, surly service, plus where are these people coming staying?
    • A Capitalist Who Loves the BVI (23/09/2024, 13:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thank you "Always easy" for pointing out the obvious (which seems to easily elude the Territory's so-called leaders), which is that it's one thing for the UK to give you a pat on the back and say "great idea - go for it," but quite another to be more than a cheerleading section and come up with some of the funding. And thanks for doing the MATH, which is another skill set sorely lacking among the elected leaders (and I use the term charitably).
  • @@AHEM (22/09/2024, 17:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not if their aircraft carriers are pre-occupied. Duuuh.

    What is more valuable in a world war conflict. A permanent landing strip or moving a expensive arse ship here to monitor us when they have bigger problems in Europe.


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