Government of the Virgin Islands is continuing consultations with the public on the proposed expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport.

To this end, the Ministry of Communications and Works, in collaboration with the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA), conducted a series of meetings last week across the Territory to update the public on the current status of the airport expansion business case and the potential benefits associated with the expansion.

Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye M. Rymer, stated that efforts are underway to complete the business case study for the airport’s expansion by February 2025.  The minister emphasised that the current status of the project stems from a lack of a comprehensive business case, which was highlighted during discussions with the United Kingdom.

Honourable Rymer said, “Following the decision to expand the runway, UK officials requested that a business case be prepared, leading to the present circumstances, as the Green Book Business Case had never been completed.” 

 “We cannot provide a specific timeline at this moment as we are still navigating the business case process. We found ourselves in a similar situation in 2016 when a company was selected, and now we are revisiting this stage,” the minister explained 

Director of Special Projects at the Airport Authority Mr. Clive Smith gave an overview of the Case Study and outlined the five cases for the business case. 

They include:

1-         The Strategic Case;

2-         The Economic Case;

3-         The Commercial Case;

4-         The Financial Case; and

5-         The Management Case.”
            Mr. Smith added that the project team is presently working through the Economic Case, which seeks to determine the Preferred Option.

Vice President for WSP Global, Mr. Jeffery Seider highlighted that the initiative aims to improve air access into the Virgin Islands while addressing existing resource and capacity constraints at the airport.  

Mr. Seider said, “The outline business case (“OBC”), passenger forecasting and master plan processes are ongoing. This public consultation is crucial at this early stage to ensure your feedback shapes the future of this project.”

Managing Director at the BVI Airport Authority Mr. Kurt Menal said that the authority remains committed to managing and developing the TB Lettsome International Airport as a commercial entity that supports both its role as an international airport and the broader economy of the Territory.

The panel also included Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mrs. Elvia Smith-Maduro, and Senior Managing Advisor KPMG Islands Group, Mr. Jack Mackenzie.

At the conclusion of each meeting, attendees were invited to complete a survey to share their views and rank options based on information presented during the discussions.