VI Airlink objects to BVI Airways US service application
According to articles circulating on various websites, including Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) and Caribbean Aviation today March 9, 2017, VI Airlink and Turks and Caicos based interCaribbean Airways claimed they were never served a copy of BVI Airways application in violation of DOT requirements.
Last month, BVI Airways applied to the DOT for permission to conduct scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail between the prescribed UK Caribbean gateway points via intermediate points, to points in the United States and beyond.
It also sought authority to carry out charter foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail between the [British] Virgin Islands and any point(s) in the United States.
The airline plans to offer service four times each week between Beef Island, Miami International and San Juan Luis Munoz Marin airport in Puerto Rico – increasing flights to daily.
Locally owned VI Airlink and interCaribbean Airways claim their operations may be affected by the application.
Impartiality of VI Gov’t comes into question
Both airlines have also questioned government’s impartiality given an alleged investment made to stimulate demand for flights between the VI and the United States.
The airlines, according to CMC, made reference to press report in which Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) is quoted as saying his government has “invested” US$7 million into the development of flights between Miami International and Beef Island.
Officials from VI Airline and interCaribbean Airways state that BVI Airways had previously claimed the funds mentioned, to be a loan.
They argue that the issue of direct financial support will create a conflict of interest between locally-owned airlines and the VI government given the latter’s purported role in BVI Airways’ operations, according to CMC.
Meanwhile, local pilot and shareholder in VI Airlink Captain Neville C. Brathwaite Jr told Virgin Islands News Online that the airline was not commenting on the matter at this time.
The National Democratic Party (NDP) has been lambasted for injecting millions into a defunct airline that had abruptly ceased its operations in the VI some years ago and left owing the BVI Airports Authority some $99,000.
Critics of the government have been asking why the VI government did not instead invest in the locally based VI Airlink.
32 Responses to “VI Airlink objects to BVI Airways US service application”
local businesses hate it.
pilots hate it.
other airlines hate it.
Greed will be the down fall of those folks we voted for(them need to be in the jail)
It seems here that the NDP government is trying to get people to and from the bvi easily, and get around this st. Thomas and Puerto Rico problem. This appears to me to the benefit of the bvi people and tourists alike. Our own people are here placing us is problems again after the Gov't provided a subsidy of seven million to get this done.
We are destroying ourselves. Really, really sad and sickening
My fellow BVIslanders I urge you to educate yourselves and see what nonsense our government is doing. Take a look at the documents submitted by BVI Airways and review the reasoning of our local carrier VI Airlink. Read it here and form your own views: http://www.regulations.gov, docket number DOT-OST-2017-0032
It's a lot to digest but it will worth it.
English speaking ,direct flight to the US etc...All the bells and whistles required.