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

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. 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 8th.

The program featured a range of speakers, including the Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Kye M. Rymer, who welcomed everyone to the event on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands. The minister 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 that the collaboration between BVIAA and ACI-LAC underscores the shared commitment to advancing excellence in airport management, safety, and customer service.  Director General of ACI-LAC Dr. Rafael Echevarne emphasised that as a member of ACI, airports can reach out to the organization's global network of over 2,000 member airports that manage approximately 95% of the world's passenger traffic.

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. 

The BVI Airports Authority continues to seek to acquire, own, operate, control, manage, develop, administer and maintain the international airport and any extension thereof, and any designated airport in the Territory as a commercial undertaking in a manner which recognizes its role in the first instance as an international airport and for the benefit of the economy of the Territory of the Virgin Islands.

Photo 1:        Minister for Communications and Works, Hon. Kye M. Rymer.

Photo 2:        LtoR Minister for Communications and Works, Hon. Kye M. Rymer; Government Information                           Officer, Mr. Giovanni Herbert; Managing Director BVI Airports Authority, Mr. Kurt A.G. Menal;                            Director General ACI-LAC, Dr. Rafael Echevarne.

Photo 3:        First Panel Discussion on Aviation in the Caribbean, Featuring Director of BVI Tourist Board,                           Mr. Clive McCoy

Photo 4:        Attendees at the ACI Airport Day 2024

(Photo Credit: Franklin Skerritt and Lenell Stevens\GIS