Business Case received for airport expansion project
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) said KPMG delivered the report on April 25, 2025, the date they had set for its delivery.
A Greenbook Business Case consists of many stages, including a strategic outline and the economic, management, financial, and commercial aspects. During public consultations in November 2024, Hon Rymer revealed that the Cabinet had already approved the strategic outline.
“We are doing our reviews right now, and hopefully you’ll hear more about that coming up shortly,” Hon Rymer said on the Virgin Islands Voice on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
The business case will go through the Cabinet process before being made public, the Minister informed.
We are committed to the airport expansion- Hon Rymer
During the public consultations, Director of Special Projects Mr Clive Smith said the objectives of expanding the airport are to enable, diversify resilient growing and international competitive economy; improve air access experience and efficiency by reducing the number of layovers from key markets; improve air access to the Territory including air cargo capacity; support national security by ensuring the safety and security of the travelling public through compliance to recognised international standards; and minimise environmental impact through developing an airport in a manner that is compliant with environmental assessments and regulations.
He also said there were five options for dealing with the airport which included keeping what is currently there and do nothing; doing the minimum including the apron and terminal extension; extending the runway to 6300 feet allowing for flights to and from Miami and maybe Charlotte; extending the runway to 6500 feet; or extending the runway to 7000 feet, allowing for flights to and from as far as Toronto, Canada.
Hon Rymer said there is much excitement surrounding airlift in the Virgin Islands.
“We have our restrictions, I know you would have heard about the numbers increasing with the airport, but we still have limitations,” Hon Rymer stated, “In terms of expansion, it is something that we are committed to and we are definitely looking forward to the next stage.”
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15 Responses to “Business Case received for airport expansion project”
No to terminal extension, not needed until it’s needed, can be done later if necessary.
Keep it cost manageable and keep the Chinese out.
P and his buddies want to get access to that money. Nothing will stop him. Not even common sense. Let alone reality.
We can all imagine how 500 Million going to be turned into a billion and judging by repairs to the admin complex I 10 years we still won't be able to use it. We will all be flying into Taddy Bay on our donkeys.
But some friends and family will be rich and have their own donkeys.
Some ppl don't even want to take the flights to Miami because of the Immigration lines. We should focus on improving connection to Florida and other Caribbean islands that already have flights to Europe and other locations. Let's keep the BVI peaceful and improve our roads, water and electricity supplies first. And also train our ppl to improve customer service!
Is the Terence B. Lettsome's Airport extension a futuristic must be done.yes. But with our many infrastructure need for repair, upgrade, those that were started, and yet to be completed, example: the ongoing sewage, water, shortages, Hodges Creeks road, and others throughout, limited amount of $$$s in hand, West End Ferry Dock terminal, and many others not yet start. In this time of financial uncertainty, not only challenge us, but all countries political leaders world-wide. Should we not used what available funds we have, rather than hip hoping, and skipping continually to impress, and divert from most needed priority at this time?
One step in the right direction is worth 100% more than 100 steps in the wrong direction, if that 100 steps is not a priority steps, and can be delt with in the future, after the priority ones have been completed.
In my honest opinion, even though the expression of the Terence B. Airport should happen, a number of more priority projects need to be completed first.
Improved air access is also expected to boost tourism, which is significant to the local economy, generating more revenue and creating job opportunities. The current airport infrastructure struggles with capacity constraints, and expansion will address these issues, ensuring smoother operations and better passenger service. The project aligns with broader economic and infrastructural development goals, supporting the territory's growth and sustainability.
The current geopolitical climate under President Trump has indeed impacted international travel, with many overseas visitors reducing their trips to the United States due to tariffs, hostile rhetoric, and increased barriers to entry (https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/travelers-going-to-united-states-less-due-to-trump-tariffs-rhetoric-rcna201640), (https://www.dw.com/en/trump-deportations-tariffs-tourism-us-canada-germany/a-72104029).
This situation has led to a significant decline in international arrivals, which affects residents and visitors who rely on connecting flights through the US to access and depart the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
Given these challenges, expanding Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport becomes even more critical. By enabling direct flights to major destinations, the BVI can reduce dependency on US connections, ensuring more reliable and efficient travel options. This expansion will not only enhance connectivity but also bolster the local economy by attracting more tourists directly to the islands (https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/us-expected-a-big-travel-year-but-overseas-visitors-angered-by-trump-are-heading-elsewhere/.
Can you elaborate on how us having a longer runway and more direct access would have made it easier when borders were closed?
My questions have always been cost, how we will pay for it and how we will maintain it. Also what are the environmental pros and cons with this project. Since AA has started service, has that led to an increase in overall arrivals compared to pre-covid or just a diversion of traffic from San Juan, St. Thomas to Beef Island?
Let us see the business case and a cost/benefit report. Our monies paid for it and our monies will pay for this airport expansion. I am not totally against the expansion but it must be done wisely so as not to saddle our children/grand children with debt for decades to come.
A voice of sanity crying out in the wilderness! The numbers just can't work - no matter how you do the loans, there is no way to justify the costs. I will be eagerly awaiting the publication of the vaunted business case, but won't be surprised if it's merely some "summary" with breezy "assumptions" that are not backed up with hard-core math.