Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Hon Kye M. Rymer tasked with extending airport runway 'by 2027'

-Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley says runway extension is next step to more non-stop flights to VI
The main runway of the T. Lettsome International Airpot in the VI. Photo: Internet Source
Some 79 passengers, including the Premier and the Minister for Communications and Works, were onboard the first American Airlines commercial flight that arrived at Beef Island shortly after 1:00 PM on June 1, 2023. Photo: GIS
Some 79 passengers, including the Premier and the Minister for Communications and Works, were onboard the first American Airlines commercial flight that arrived at Beef Island shortly after 1:00 PM on June 1, 2023. Photo: GIS
TRELLIS BAY, Beef Island, VI– While congratulating Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) for his persistence in making non-stop flight from Miami to the Virgin Islands a priority, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has tasked the minister with getting the runway extended as a key step in VI receiving more direct flights.

Dr Wheatley was at the time speaking at a ceremony for the inaugural commercial flight of American Airlines from Miami to the VI on June 1, 2023.

“And while he's basking in the moment, I'm going to task him at this particular moment, with getting this runway extended, because of course, I look forward to standing somewhere in this vicinity, perhaps maybe in 2027, so that we can welcome the next flight from New York or from Atlanta or from Boston.

“And that can only happen if we extend this runway. So, Minister, it's more than a conversation at this point. We're looking forward to that request for proposal going out and let's get going on the extension of this runway.”

Determined & Persistant 

Meanwhile, Hon Wheatley said Hon Rymer was very determined and persistent in bringing the non-stop flights to fruition.

“He was very tenacious, and I'll even say that he was stubborn because he refused to allow his attempts to have non-stop flights here fail, he refused. Every time he got a no, he came back with another route or another option.

“And he really willed us to these non-stop flights, and I certainly want to acknowledge him because he has done an excellent service on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands today and he deserves all our collective commendations,” the Premier said.

Some 79 passengers, including the Premier and Hon Rymer were onboard the first flight that arrived at Beef Island shortly after 1:00 PM on June 1, 2023.

20 Responses to “Hon Kye M. Rymer tasked with extending airport runway 'by 2027'”

  • Contractor (05/06/2023, 14:46) Like (3) Dislike (15) Reply
    Hon. Minister start getting those RFPs the Chinese, the Kuwaitis and the Arabs are ready to place their offers. Get the ball rolling Minister
  • No more extensions (05/06/2023, 15:14) Like (17) Dislike (20) Reply
    Leave the runway alone. Wait for the aircraft technology to improve STOL planes.
    • We need too (06/06/2023, 07:40) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
      Despite us not wanting to expand and mess up the reefs we have to expand the runway. Its time for the BVI to start reaching its potential in terms of the tourism sector. We are way to beautiful and have to much to offer as a country to still not have direct flights. Expanding the run ways brings in more people which creates more jobs which creates a thriving community. Time for us to get up to the time and stop being left behind.
    • ಠ_ಠ (06/06/2023, 10:27) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      This just might be the dumbest thing I'll read/hear all day.
  • airport (05/06/2023, 15:27) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Throw away the whole airport everyday is a problem. Ayo can only take praises
  • lol (05/06/2023, 15:31) Like (7) Dislike (12) Reply
    Just get in with it. We need it like yesterday
  • Pro Trellis (05/06/2023, 16:18) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    Whatever you do please extend it via a bridge in order to save Trellis Bay!
  • Really??? (05/06/2023, 17:30) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    In the spirit of transparency, I hope we will see who owns any land that has to be purchased to make this happen...I smell a rat.
  • Jane (05/06/2023, 17:32) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Need to be clearing US Customs and Immigration too: just like Bermuda and Bahamas
    • TO JANE (05/06/2023, 19:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      It is an offense to compare BVI with Bahamas and Bermuda. Don't do that. What makes us so special. Heck, we can hardly take care of our own immigration and customs much less U.S customs and Borser Patrol and TSA. It gah some things BVI is NOT capable of as much as we think we bright.
  • WELL HALLELUIAH (05/06/2023, 18:08) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    WE NOW HAVE A NEW LORD AND SAVIOR , ON THE BLOCK / THE CUBAN MUST BE SAYING ( IF I COULDN'T GEH IT DO ???? ) I WAH SEE HOW HE GINE GEH IT DUN ????
    • Lucy (06/06/2023, 11:18) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      There are lots of studies on airport extension. All Kye has to do is find them and get to work. There is absolutely no need to reinvent the wheel and pay millions again to hear the same thing.
  • All talk (05/06/2023, 18:17) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    The extension of the runway has been a discussion for decades. In May 2012, a Runway Extension Impact Assessment was done. In over ten years, nothing has been done. 2027 is five years away. This will be another four years of talk to have a new Government in and scrap it (rinse and repeat). When the right palms are not greased, nothing gets done in the BVIs. I will believe it. The issues with AA will persist until the direct flights have to be discontinued until further notice as the runway will not be extended. I will be corrected if they follow through. I do not intend to be negative, but let's not act like the script will suddenly be rewritten.
  • lol (05/06/2023, 21:20) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Might as well say he has been tasked to send rockets to Mars. This could have been done years ago. The only thing government is good at is moving money from the treasury into private bank accounts.
  • Tired of this bs (05/06/2023, 22:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pls pay the bvi port staff their increments for 2020 2021 and 2022.
    We tired of you all crap. We work to hard to be out here begging for our monies. Everybidy the goveenment put in charge keep theifing the d**m money. Give us what u owe he. Everyday is lies and more loes to covee like. Bvi electricity get there increments. Socail security board. Wth wrong with port. Only bringing a set of people who dont like other peoole. We got families to feed to first quarter done gine and not even a memo to explain why we still waiting for our own sh*t. You guys need to come clean tell us where our monies gone. Who went wirh it.
  • Fix it now (06/06/2023, 00:31) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    First mr Wheatley. Yoh should be tasking Mr Rymer to get the roads and traffic lights fixed, that traggic turn around does not make a lick of sense, get the water issues rectified, get the electricity issue fixed, fix the TRC, pay the staff their increment then and only then you can task him with extending the airport runway. And please I beg ask Pickering to repay the $500k he give to his Trinidadian friend to study the airport runway expansion
  • Eldread (06/06/2023, 03:00) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Extend runway on Tortola and backup runway on virgin Gorda for emergency or else flights would be diverted to st Thomas if a crash landing take place.. No politicking, that $250 k can go towards starting. When the politicians get in and see money a more dotish spending. We just work and build house buy car from a small salary, all them tax government collect can finance it's infrastructure, we are attending all these commonwealth meetings where these same colonizers who we say we so want to be free from inculcate their capitalist tricks from global financeers to waste money through there lending institution by narrowing at high percentage return.
  • Really? (06/06/2023, 10:17) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    We got BOYS trying to do a MAN'S job. Look at their past accomplishments. Joe's Hill Manor project, Still no MARKET, but a cheap vendor's plaza #2. Pot hole strewn roads, frequent power outages, no running water. This is Kye's track record and we are going to entrust him with an airport runway extension? Lord, please hear our cries and help us.
    • Lin (06/06/2023, 11:21) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      He has lots of help with this project. If he is smart, he will find the studies and carefully review them and choose one.
  • Sappers (07/06/2023, 15:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Extension of the Beef Island runway cannot wait until 2027 for completion. A few more AA flight delays into or out of EIS because of shifts in prevailing winds and there is increasing likelihood that these direct Miami-BVI flights might be discontinued for the time being.

    When the old airstrip on Beef Island was first extended many years ago to what eventually became its current state, it was done by “Sappers,” the British Corps of Royal Engineers. And we all see in the news how rapidly and efficiently the military can build airstrips. Perhaps the BVI Government can once again obtain Britain’s assistance in executing this project fairly quickly and at reasonable cost via deployment of the Royal Engineers.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.