UPDATE: Airport re-opens following strike action by fire officers
Sources told our newsroom that the airport close after fire service officers attached to the airport reported to work this morning; however, all reportedly took ill at the same time and went home.
It is our understanding that to remedy the situation this afternoon, firefighters were brought in from both Virgin Gorda and Anegada to keep the airport running.
Up to publication time, there has been no official word from the Airport Authority on the matter at the airport.
Our News Centre will bring more information as it becomes available.
See previous story published today, July 17, 2023
Firefighters' strike forces closure of TB Lettsome International Airport
TRELLIS BAY, Beef Island, VI- Word reaching our newsroom is the Terrance B. Lettsome Airport on Beef Island has been forced to close today, July 17, 2023, following a sickout by firefighters stationed there.
It has been reported that the fire officers reported to work this morning; however, all the officers took ill at the same time and went home.
According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the fire officers are aggrieved about the BVI Airports Authority (BVIPA) alleged unwillingness to live up to its agreement to pay for holidays worked.
The Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport remained closed at 1:25 PM.
It is our understanding inbound flights were diverted to St Thomas, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
We are working on more details for this story.
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72 Responses to “UPDATE: Airport re-opens following strike action by fire officers”
The country is under attack spiritually by the colonial masters but we only see each other with these attacks and fight each other. WAKE UP BVI.
1. Disruption to Electricity.
2. Disruption to Flights Services
A guy was burnt to death in East End sometime back and the body was found the next day.
The firemen was out celebrating and their job was incomplete. Shame on them.
Instead of more money, they need better training.
What they did was foolishness.
How did we get here? What is next
Moreover, the aviation business (both air and land sides) is typically labor-, capital- , and safety -intensive and operates with a typical razor-thin profit margin. Typical non aeronautical revenue streams include retail concessions, car parking, rental car, real estate leasing, food and beverage, etc., Aeronautical revenue streams include take off and landing fees, departing passengers fee, etc. Larger airports have more diversified revenue streams.
Further, in commercial aviation, ie, passenger or cargo, every take off and landing has a fix cost which is covered by paying passengers or cargo. Passenger airlines use the passenger load factor (PLF)metric. Essentially, based on seating capacity, there is a minimum number of seats that must be occupied by paying passengers to make the flight profitable. Airline (s) is a business and has to operate consistently above the minimum PLF to stay on route or in business.
Know or have studied aviation. Did I miss the mark? Why do you guys go way and only come back to visit? The brsin and skill drain choking the BVI, is it not ? It seems you’re posting day that runway length and land facilities aside, the primary factor is passenger loading. Without profitable passenger load factor, the airlines not staying on route. The limited BVIAA revenue stream opportunities is also concerning. Does the General Revenue Fund Subsidizes the BVIAA? No qualified local applicants applied for the Airport Director position?
It is kind of ironic that we cry crocodile tears about Virgin Islanders leaving the BVI for greener pastures and only come back to visit and when they sacrifice to come back we treat them like sh**, forcing them to take the next train rolling. If we want them to come back and contribute, treat them like we treat tge people coming in from above Round Rock. Airlift is vital to the BVI tourism product, I/2 half of the economic twin-Pillars , and major employer, so it is important that the airport runs as smoothly as possible. How dated is the problem at TBLIA? What is the government policy on handling industrial relations? Should the labour commissioner or the local equivalent do as E. Leonard suggest to appoint an impartial third party to try tge resolve the vexing issues through either arbitration or mediation or some other alternative dispute resolution process?
Priorities are messed up , pushing money into entertainment while there are other pressing matters at hand. Sowande and your TEAM GET AREYA SELF TOGETHER AND DO RIGHT WITH OUR TAX MONEY. GET TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE COUNTRY.
STOP TAKING MY TAX MONEY IF YOU AINT GOING DO BETTER WITH IT. We out here suffering especially with these roads, COME ON MAN!!!!!!!!
Fire all them without doctors' letter for making BVI look incompetent. Again!