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UPDATE: Taddy Bay Airport on VG reopens

- after fire appliance deemed fully functional
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 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 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
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- 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.

“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.

11 Responses to “UPDATE: Taddy Bay Airport on VG reopens”

  • yeah (07/01/2020, 12:36) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    keep on blaming the ndp
    • @ yeah (08/01/2020, 05:24) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      VIP and the new BVIAA Board are at the steering wheel and the buck stop with them. Period.
  • mr (07/01/2020, 12:44) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Come on Bevis get your act together bossie
  • Really (07/01/2020, 12:54) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Someone explain why it is so difficult to get another truck so if anything go wrong with the first there's a back up. Are we in the BVI that incompetent?? Like really?? SMH
  • AOC (07/01/2020, 13:26) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    Shameful as this is at the height of the 2020 tourist season. So much representation for V.G., and this is still an issue. Tiny V.G. airstrip in operation since the late 1960's and nothing has changed in +/- 50 years. Roads leading to and from the tiny airport disgraceful as a BVI port of entry. Tiny terminal needs facility upgrade "big time". It's really the only way to get to V.G., from the Mainland USA in daylight ( Same Day) travel via San Juan - otherwise, you arrive V.G., in the dark after all of the ferries etc.,. Long story short - V.G. Airport needs ATTENTION!!!
    • Reply (07/01/2020, 21:09) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      I see why Flax-Charles can’t talk about VG they don’t care about vg
  • Guiding Light (07/01/2020, 18:59) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are in 2020 and this is still happening man? Come on just get another tender.
  • Not2Sure (13/01/2020, 05:54) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    This every minute opening and closing is so embarrassing
  • driver (13/01/2020, 06:56) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is waste of time with this height of nonsense if u experience the truck will be down just simple rent a few water trucks on standby before u close the airport
  • Sabine (13/01/2020, 10:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    When was that picture taken of the Taddy Bay Terminal????
  • Diaspora (13/01/2020, 21:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    For the last several years, the BVI has had an average budget of $300M; this year its budget $414M. So why Taddy Bay Airport only has one fire truck? Is the issue lack of funding or procurement process? The airport can’t functionally operate with one truck. When the truck is offline for preventative maintenance or repairs, what happens the airport closes? This is poor operation and more like Fourth World, not First World.


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