It was a major news story in Virgin Islands News Online of May 10, 2012, that The Deputy Premier had appointed Engineer, Winston Wilson, to the post of project manager for the new airport expansion project on Beef Island. Wilson worked as project manager at the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport some years back; he was also the Director of Public Works prior to that.

Earlier, British Virgin Islands News Online, on May 4, 2012, wrote a story about an international businessman, David Johnsons’ assertions, on airport expansion in the British Virgin Islands. Theirs was an article titled ‘’ airport expansion will boost BVI’s struggling tourism industry,’’ stating that the Oil Nut Bay owner’s belief was that ‘’the extension of the airport will improve air access to the territory.’’ Johnson stated that he was ‘’ very excited about the new runway extension, because it is the lifeline of the tourism industry, which has been struggling in the BVI.’’

The business man built a scenario where ‘’ a direct link can bring a guest from New York via Miami, in 3 hours instead of 12 hours, ‘’a dynamic that could cause the visitor to visit much more often, instead of currently, with all of the hindrances and obstacles. The new runway, according to the entrepreneur, will, ‘’ not only improve visitor arrivals, but be of great benefit to Oil Nut Bay. It will turn persons from being once a year visitors, into 8 to 10, 4 day weekends’’ a year guests, ‘’which will benefit the wider economy of the BVI in terms of investment, jobs, clients and construction projects.’’

A voice against the runway extension is William Walker, who stated in the BVI Beacon of May, 10, 2012, a story titled, ‘’ volunteer blasts draft nonprofit organizations law,’’ that on March 29, 2012, he attended a public meeting to consider the possible extension of the airport runway, and that while he opposed this proposal for various reasons, he did feel the meeting was well run by Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering, and so on and so forth.

Now, going back a number of months, and Mr. Walker, a well researched writer, made some very solid and valuable contributions to the airport development issue and debate; on the whether or not, the Virgin Islands should build an expanded airport facility and runway extension in the not too distant future. It seems light years back, when Walker made his assertions, especially considering the gathering pace of the airport expansion and runway extension commitment by this Government, and its determination to see this thing through.

In the December 8, 2011, Edition of the BVI Beacon, the Contributor recognized that there was a ‘’ thrust to develop direct flights from an eastern United States hub to Beef Island.’’ But this back seat aviator would have thought that there should be a thrust to develop direct flights from wherever overnight guests will come from, to the benefit of Virgin Islands tourism and commerce: whether Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, even Africa and the Middle East!

Interestingly enough, Mr. Walker’s assertions against the runway extension at the time, paradoxically, and very clearly, in this Observer’s opinion, actually validated the idea that this Jurisdiction is going to have to build a facility to cater for large and powerful jet aircraft in the very near future. Please take note Pilot John Morrison: another debate contributor!

Now, it is true that North Americans and Western Europeans, especially Britons, are the most prodigious visitors and travelers to these shores, but these crucial tourists are certainly not the only world travelers who may wish to visit these Tropical Antilles: so prospecting for business among the newly emerging world powers such as Brazil and China, and similar places, may be a requisite strategy for a reconstituted Department of Tourism.

Furthermore, it is worthy of note that both Jet Blue and Air Canada have started to land at Cyril E King Airport, Charlotte Amalie, bringing hundreds of extra guests to the USVI every week, much to the delight of the tourism establishment there. Air Canada is also flying into St. Kitts’ Robert Bradshaw every week, presently.

Now, where Walker’s December 8, 2011, article clearly instructed and illuminated was in his thorough review of contemporary airline economics; he wrote that ‘’ the way many people book tickets has changed. The travel agent has basically disappeared. The advent of the Internet, and various travel websites, such as ‘Travelocity’ or ‘Cheap Tickets’ has ensured that travelers can now dependably determine which route suits them best. And it is generally the least expensive that is chosen, regardless of the airlines involved, and often regardless of the route.’’ I pray everyone is listening, especially local travel agents and web designers! Adapt or go under!

Mr. Walker further explained that this new dynamic was to the disadvantage of these Virgin Islands as ‘’in the absence of direct flights, the connecting flight from San Juan to Tortola only adds to the costs’’ for the traveler. That probably means St. Martin, Antigua, and St. Thomas, and not just monetary costs, but time wasted as well. More reason to build a facility for the biggest air planes I might add: let the traveler come here first from say a Gatwick, Heathrow, Schiphol, or John F Kennedy, and not diverted to some other destination, and having to spend more hundreds of dollars staying the night at some hotel.

It was of further interest to note from Mr. Walkers surmise that ‘’ the airlines have found that eight percent of their passengers travel in either first or business class’’ and that these passengers‘’ account for 27% of the airlines’ revenues.’’ Mr. Walker referred to economy class as ‘peasant class;’ I will come to that incorrect assertion in due course at a later date.

It was furthermore an eye opener that Walker stated that the ‘’ the Virgin Islands and its economy and tourism industry mean exactly nothing to the airlines.’’ That, ‘’it never has and it never will. They are not charitable organizations and never will be,’’ he wrote! How interesting!

That assertion did not add up however: any business organization worth its salt is always interested in its wider environment and customer habits, not just its own navel! And that is the same for the airlines. It is called panoramic thinking sir: and it separates the men from the boys! Something Virgin Atlantic understands very well I suppose!

I can now understand, considering this narrow minded type of business thinking, why so many of these carriers are in financial trouble today, in the economic doldrums, so to speak. Especially in an industry in which 40% of costs are fuel and lubricant.

Today, American Airlines is in bankruptcy, and may not survive. Add to that the news that the European Community is to begin charging all airlines a carbon emissions tax from point of departure to destinations in the European Union. Yes the customer is king, even to an arrogant and unwieldy beast of a global airline.

Never has there been a more important and crucial time to expand the British Virgin Islands airport system, considering all these factors, including the bully boy statements from some of these ‘’highfliers.’’ Yes, it is time for these Antilles to swim in the shark infested waters of the global airline industry, unaided.

And that means a new expanded airline facility, with a new extended runway for large and powerful jet-planes. This is one project that is definitely foundational to the growth, development, and sustenance of Virgin Islands commerce and tourism!

To be continued...