‘VI Govts not thinking of the future!’ – Caller
However in response to the member of the public, the People’s Empowerment Party (PEP) indicated that it does not believe that the Territory needs an extended airport capable of accepting direct long haul flights since the size of the population may not justify the investment and because also of the fact that the Virgin Islands is surrounded by international airports which can offer connections.
Speaking on PEP last evening November 24, 2014 aired at 8:00 pm on ZBVI 780 AM, President of the party Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru said that unless a feasibility study says otherwise this would be his position on the need for an extended airport.
The caller into the programme wanted to know why it was that the airport is not being developed to a stage to where it can accept long haul flights directly.
“We cannot in a tourism industry depend on other destinations to get people to our destination. If a Government thinking like that they are not thinking about the future of the BVI,” he said.
“I thought when the airport was building I thought we were going for the future. Too much Government after too much Government [and] we don’t have a plan for the future,” the caller said.
“The BVI is a unique place, a unique destination that makes a lot of money. You have to use the money wisely. People are frustrated…the type of tourists that coming now don’t want to stop at another destination before coming here,” he said.
“You have to get people here in a quicker time so that they can enjoy more of our beaches. We have to fix immigration and customs…we got to think future,” said the caller,” he said.
In responding to the caller, Chairman of PEP Hon J. Alvin Christopher (R2) said that there had been studies done and land identified for a long haul airport in a different location to the current airport on Beef Island.
He said that if there is not careful planning the Territory could set itself up for a burden that it may not be able to carry financially.
“All those things must be considered in the plans going forward,” said Hon Christopher. “Yes it would be nice to have a long haul airport to get your people here. But cost has a lot to do with it.”
Speaking also in response to the caller’s concerns, Wheatley said that the Virgin Islands is not the only place where persons have to make connections in order to get to their destinations.
“We are not the only place where you have to make connections. You go all over the world and you have to make connections and you have to come to grips with the reality of your size. You have a certain size population you’re going to have a certain amount of traffic,” said Wheatley.
“People don’t necessarily go to St Thomas because we don’t have a long runway…they go to St Thomas because of the price. They would have been coming to Beef Island if the price was right for them,” he said.
He asked the question whether a new airport is likely to reduce the cost of travel and as such he said he wanted to see the feasibility study.
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11 Responses to “‘VI Govts not thinking of the future!’ – Caller”
Does this guy think before he speaks? Most people will not be able to find a flight from Miami, via San Juan, on to the BVI especially during peak time because with LIAT, Seaborne, Airlink and Cape Air combined its still not enough seats. It's not only about price Sowande, it's about access period. There are flights leaving St Thomas that cost $600+ to go to Miami. Add couple hundred for ferry, taxi, meals/drinks while waiting, uncertainty, hassle etc. and you get the picture. Think before you speak young man, you will end up looking like a fool. If people could fly via Puerto Rico as they like then they would. Some people do, but most do not because they cannot.
Add to these hardly bearable conditions, (at least by the average Joe and Jill); a must have international airport at the cost of $477-Million or more.
At any given time there's a 727 or two sitting on the tarmac @ TB International boarding for travel destination .....where ever.
Where is the population to sustain this? Perhaps with the now expanded cruise ship facility a majority of those passengers will be flying to TB Int'l to board the ships here. Perhaps that could have been a part of the agreement with DCL and NCL; (but it wasn't). I wonder Why. Because it just doesn't make sense.
Just thinking...!