Flight delayed! BVI Airways now expected to begin operations in November
“I am pleased to announce that we are on track, progressing well and barring any unanticipated hiccups, I expect to see schedule flights—direct flights to and from the United States mainland, between the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport and the Miami International Airport before Thanksgiving of this year,” Premier Smith stated during a ‘One on One with the Premier Press Conference’ at the Office of the Premier, Central Administration Complex, earlier today.
Asked whether negotiations for all the necessary permits for BVI Airways to begin operation were complete, Premier said those were ongoing between the airline and the BVI Airports Authority and also Air Safety Support International (ASSI).
“But those are on track and we expect not problems, we expect them to continue towards satisfactory arrangements. When it comes to the time that they begin operation, the time schedule was October, there may be some slippage, maybe [October] or November, but we expect it to be very close to the time that we spoke about.”
The National Democratic Party Government has come under criticism for subsidising a defunct BVI Airways to the tune of $7M when the airline had once pulled operation some years ago, owing monies to BVI Airports Authority. Further, ferry operators have been calling for similar help from Government.
Others believe that $7M could have better been spent on urgently needed school supplies, as well as paying vendors owed.
Seaborne Airlines’ new agreement
Meanwhile, Premier Smith disclosed that on Friday, July 15, 2016 Delta Airlines and Seaborne Airlines announced that they will begin selling their brand on Seaborne at San Juan to and from the Virgin Islands effective September 7, 2016.
“This mark the first time in the aviation history of the Caribbean that one airline will operate with the three major brands doing business in the Caribbean. Seaborne will now have code-share agreements with American, Delta, and JetBlue - - providing ease of access to the BVI through a powerful distribution and reservations network as well as ticketing and baggage.
“This will be coupled with new nonstop service by BVI Airways which is set to launch in the fall increases BVI's visibility in the tourism scape and helps with our accessibility challenges,” Premier Smith said.
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