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UK regulator ASSI blasted for ‘tone-deaf, heavy-handed’ airport restrictions

Picking up and dropping off persons directly in front of the terminal at Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island could soon be discontinued, according to reports reaching our News Centre. Photo: RDA/File
The United Kingdom’s Air Safety Support International (ASSI) is imposing regulations in the Virgin Islands that are culturally tone-deaf, economically burdensome, and executed without sufficient local consultation, radio personality and social commentator Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said. Photo: Facebook
The United Kingdom’s Air Safety Support International (ASSI) is imposing regulations in the Virgin Islands that are culturally tone-deaf, economically burdensome, and executed without sufficient local consultation, radio personality and social commentator Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said. Photo: Facebook
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI— The United Kingdom’s Air Safety Support International (ASSI) is being accused of imposing regulations in the Virgin Islands that are culturally tone-deaf, economically burdensome, and executed without sufficient local consultation.

The accusation was levelled against ASSI on April 30, 2025, during the Honestly Speaking programme on ZBVI 780 AM, by radio personality and social commentator Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline.

Own Civil Aviation Authority

According to Skelton-Cline, the regulatory body—responsible for overseeing civil aviation safety in British Overseas Territories—has, among other instituted measures mandated sweeping access restrictions, at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport.

“ASSI have now mandated, or even threatened maybe, that the airport could be closed if they don't move the people of the country away from being able to drive in to the airport, where we regularly drop off and pick up.”
The radio host explained that the new regulation would effectively prohibit the general public from suitable access at the airport’s terminal.

“Except for maybe some police cars and a couple dignitaries, you're not going to be able to drive up where you drive anymore after this month,” he warned. Instead, passengers will be required to park at a distance and walk to the terminal, “in the rain, in the sun, and or whatever. No consideration for the disabled person, no consideration of what this does to our budget, none of that.”

'We don't have the same threats'

Skelton-Cline vehemently challenged the justification being floated by the authorities—namely, bomb threats. “In my whole entire natural born life, and in the life of the Virgin Islands, I ain't never heard of no bomb threat of any kind in the Virgin Islands,” he asserted, highlighting the apparent disconnect between the threat level in the VI and that in global metropolises.

“We don't have the same threats that you have at Heathrow or Miami or New York. It's not the same.”

As such, he argued that the changes reflect a larger issue of external imposition. “This is another example of us just being forced to do things without proper consideration for the local cultural specificities of us as a people. Just do it to them, and if you don't do it, we're going to threaten you to shut your airport down.”

Suggesting a path forward, he advocated the establishment of a locally governed civil aviation body. “How do you get rid of ASSI? Well, you get rid of ASSI by instituting your own Civil Aviation Authority,” he said, calling for “resourcing, funding, putting a mechanism in place, a process in place” to achieve aviation regulatory independence.

Further questioning the rationale behind the machinations, he reported that the local airport authorities in presenting viable alternatives, said: “Claude, if the airport authority had done an aeronautical study to present to ASSI and the governor an alternative that makes sense, it may have shown that there was not a need to make this drastic move and then increase the footprint of the budget.”

See related article below: 

ASSI security audit calls for restricting public vehicular traffic to airport terminal

17 Responses to “UK regulator ASSI blasted for ‘tone-deaf, heavy-handed’ airport restrictions”

  • Miles & Miles (05/05/2025, 08:19) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Miami, Gatwick maybe there’s a chance of a pedestrian conveyer contract another $million or so we could use the old greenhouses as a cover and rest stations every 4ft for those unable to achieve the Herculean task of walking from the car park . Long distance dominoes for the taxi drivers.
    • Sarcasim aside (05/05/2025, 09:23) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      It not about whether the walk is long or short its about whether its a practical solution or not. Miami International has parking directly across the street maybe 100ft and they still allow drop /off pick up . I dont trust the UK with advocating any practical solutions for anything ,I believe the US tends to be more pragmatic and egalitarian in their solutions because of the size of the populations. UK still has an exlcusionary mindset ,with social policies that dont work for the people .
  • Don't believe it (05/05/2025, 09:06) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Give some reference (like a report) aside from Pastor Cline or it didn't happen.
  • Roger Burnett (05/05/2025, 09:15) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Paul Keens-Douglas said words to the effect: No terrorist would waste a bomb by placing it on a Caribbean plane that will never take off.
  • smh (05/05/2025, 09:16) Like (23) Dislike (3) Reply
    Please note, the views of Claude Skelton Clyne is not the views expressed by we Virgin islanders.
    So for the people that are reading this article all over the globe please forgive his ignorance. Why should we wait until there are bomb threats before putting measures in place?
    SMH

  • asura (05/05/2025, 09:34) Like (6) Dislike (14) Reply
    Assi is an extension of the white nationalist imposed on the bvi a black country
  • oh well (05/05/2025, 09:35) Like (76) Dislike (1) Reply
    We've had several bomb threats in the bvi, even at the airport and admin complex . where have you been? this is to show CSC is a Johnny come lately who knows it all and nothing at all. Are you aware of cars being left running next to the terminal , cars left overnight next to the terminal and the owner has boarded a flight. we fully know what goes on at beef island doesn't happen anywhere else.
  • The reason (05/05/2025, 10:14) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    okay everyone is saying other big airports have drop off, yes but their checkin counters are not right next to the entrance doors, but yes a bomb threat is the last thing anyone would expect here, just like they didnt in Glasgow until a taxi driver had to knock out a terrorist for trying to bomb that airport ,
    • Excuse Me (05/05/2025, 16:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      A simple research would quash your statement. Every darn airport around the place has drive up! Check out Turks! Check out Cayman! Check out St Lucia! Check out Dominica!! Go do some research from chatting crap.

      There is curbside check in in Miami, New York, Las Vegas etc etc. Stop with the BS please.
  • Security (05/05/2025, 10:22) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    in the BVI is lax everywhere including Beef island airport. The UK recommendations for airport security are spot on. The airport should NOT have to completely shut down during a bomb threat disrupting incoming and outgoing flights. Perhaps the UK military should just take over the Beef island airport and remove all the lame civil servants.
    • So why?? (05/05/2025, 12:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Is there pick up and drop off in most if not all US airport that have greater bomb threats? I can bet that those spot on recommendations are not applied to your airports in the UK. Which airport do you know that does not shut down temporarily during a bomb threat??
  • Really ?? (05/05/2025, 10:44) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Surely ASSi were involved with the planning of the airport when it was built ? Or did ASSI not exist then.
    I will say that it does make clear sense that cars not be alowed to park close to the terminal and it wouldn't take much to make a covered walk way from the carpark to the terminal. What's all the fuss about. If we as a nation want to take advantage of direct flights to and from the mainland USA we must keep up with the security requirements. We should not be exempt just because we feel that we are a nation of little threat and that our " rights are being violated.". get on board or get off the train. Comply or don't. Why is it we always feel hard done by and resort to blaming colonialism when this is simply complying with international requirments to enable US as a nation to take advantage of direct mainland flights... ...

    And for the record CSC.. bvi have had bomb threats in the past..schools government building and I believe the airport..but wait, you weren't living here for so long, you wouldn't know these facts would you.
  • Tell csc (05/05/2025, 11:09) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hoe come VINO , did not shed some light by telling CSC. on more than once there were BOMB hoaks @ the Airport , even @ the admin building.
  • Pure Foolery (05/05/2025, 16:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So wait BVI Airport is the only airport that has bomb threats?!!! Every other daggone airport, persons can drive up and pick up or drop off. This is an asinine decision!! Which other airport is doing what is proposed here - shutting down drive up access to the terminal!

    Our leaders better stop the EFF! Enough is Enough now man!
  • BuzzBvi (05/05/2025, 17:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    As long as ASSI have a fast track no security check lane for Ronnie I think they are doing a good job.
  • @smh @Security (05/05/2025, 18:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Measures in place ok but all a bad person has to do is walk a little further that is a false safety measure. In the BVI security has always been non-existent police hardy around but it is safe enough. At this time persons should have a right to self defense let the people police themself if they are really concerned about us vs terrorist.


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