The Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) has hosted the first-ever ACI Airport Day event in the Virgin Islands on July 9, 2024, organized by the Airports Council International - Latin America and Caribbean (ACI-LAC) in collaboration with the BVI Airports Authority. Photo: GIS

Speakers included the Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), who welcomed everyone to the event on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands. Photo: GIS

The one-day conference took place at the Maria's by the Sea Hotel in Tortola, with a welcome cocktail reception the evening prior, on July 8, 2024.

The first-of-its-kind event in the Virgin Islands represented an exciting milestone for the Caribbean aviation industry and provided a valuable platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and advancing the region's airport infrastructure and operations. 

This landmark event brought together leading airport industry executives and authorities from across the world to discuss key topics such as air service development, maximizing general aviation potential, and best practices in airport concessions. 

Collaboration underscores shared commitment - Mr Menal

Speakers included the Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), who welcomed everyone to the event on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands. The minister also acknowledged the Managing Director of the BVI Airports Authority, Mr. Kurt A.G. Menal, for his persistence in not just being a member of ACI, but also being on the board.

Mr Menal stated in delivering remarks that the collaboration between BVIAA and ACI-LAC underscores the shared commitment to advancing excellence in airport management, safety, and customer service. 

Other speakers included Director General of ACI-LAC Dr. Rafael Echevarne who emphasized that as a member of ACI, airports can reach out to the organisation's global network of over 2,000 member airports that manage approximately 95% of the world's passenger traffic.