The Taddy Bay Airport on Virgin Gorda has reopened, less than a week after it was closed due to a problem with the lone fire tender. Photo: BVIAA/File

The BVI Airports Authority in notifying the travelling public of the closure of the VG airport said it is due to an operational issue with the rescue and fire-fighting services vehicle. Photo: VINO/File

The Taddy Bay Airport on Virgin Gorda has seen a number of closures over the years due to mechanical issues with its fire tender truck. Photo: BVIAA/File

“The travelling public is advised that the Taddy Bay Airport, Virgin Gorda re-opened on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at 9:00 am, following a brief closure,” a press release from the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA) stated.

A press release on January 6, 2020 had stated that the closure was due to an operational issue with the rescue and fire-fighting services vehicle.

The BVIAA in its apology for the closure said it ensures that the safety of the travelling public is maintained at all times.

Commenting on the airport’s reopening, Acting Managing Director, Mr Clive Smith said: “the technical team at the Authority completed the required repairs and performed the necessary checks on the fire appliance during the evening of January 11, 2020” ensuring that it is fully functional.

“The BVI Airports Authority apologizes for any inconvenience caused, due to the closure of the Airport and thanks the public for their patience as we strive to ensure that safety is maintained at all times,” the press release stated.

See previous article published January 7, 2020

VG Airport closes again! Fire tender woes continue into 2020

Issues with the lone fire tender vehicle at the Taddy Bay Airport on Virgin Gorda have once again forced a closure of the airport “until further notice." Similar challenges were experienced in 2018 and 2019.

A January 6, 2020 press release from the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA) notified the travelling public that the closure is due to an operational issue with the rescue and fire-fighting services vehicle.

"All efforts are being made to rectify the problem and to ensure that air service to the airport is resumed as soon as possible. Persons travelling to and from Virgin Gorda by air are encouraged to contact their respective airlines for alternate arrangements," the public missive warned. 

The BVIAA in its apology for the closure said it ensures that the safety of the travelling public is maintained at all times.

The airport was previously closed on April 21, 2018, due to the airports’ fire truck experiencing operational complications that developed following Hurricane Irma. 

Issues with truck ongoing 

The BVIAA had announced on April 20, 2018, that due to the airports’ fire truck experiencing operational issues, the airport was closing.

"There has been a series of operational complications surrounding the fire tender which developed primarily after hurricane Irma. These complications have today entered the serious and critical category and as a result, we are forced to take the proactive approach to suspend all aircraft operations at the airport," the  BVIAA said.

Then on August 12, 2019, another closure was made due to operational issues with the rescue and fire-fighting services vehicle; however, the airport was reopened four days later.

According to aviation safety regulations, all airports must have at least one working fire tender in order to operate.