The long-awaited direct flights from the US mainland to the [British] Virgin Islands could likely become a reality in the fourth quarter of this year, Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has said. Photo: Facebook

Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said his government is continuing to maximise its efforts in discussing with airline carriers to see where those that have the capacity to accommodate these flights to and from the mainland, can introduce this service to the Virgin Islands, using the current runway length at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island. Photo: VINO/File

This was disclosed at a press conference today, April 8, 2022, by Premier Fahie, who said Government continues to see the increase in the need for travelers to be able to travel between the US Mainland and the Virgin Islands with as least hassle and in-transit stops as possible.

“Although we continue to work on the upgrade and expansion of our infrastructure at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (TBLIA)  at Beef Island and the Taddy Bay International Airport on Virgin Gorda, to accommodate larger airplanes – especially at the TBLIA to accommodate larger planes coming from the US Mainland and other parts of the world using the existing runway length – we recognise that we must, like Moses, use what is in our hands for now to be able to cross over the Red Sea.”

Directly flights likely in 4^th quarter of 2022- Premier

Premier Fahie explained that his government is continuing to maximise its efforts in discussing with airline carriers to see where those that have the capacity to accommodate these flights to and from the mainland, can introduce this service to the Virgin Islands, using the current runway length at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island.

“Of course, we have told you this many times, but based on our current discussions and negotiations, which are ongoing, we are even more confident that within the 4th Quarter of 2022 at the latest, this service can be a reality,” Premier Fahie said.

It was late last month that Premier Fahie had said 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 Beef Island.

“The feedback has been positive from all the airlines contacted,” Premier Fahie had told the media at a press conference on March 25, 2022.

The ousted National Democratic Party (NDP) 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, no direct flights were realised.

The Government of the Virgin Islands has been seeking to recover the funds via the courts.