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VI prepares for direct Miami flights via American Airlines

-as Territory named 'Sexiest New Destination' ahead of June 1, 2023, start of service
As the Virgin Islands (VI) prepare for the launch of a new service to Miami with American Airlines on June 1, 2023, the carrier has named the Territory “Sexiest New Destination”. Photo: GIS
Officials added that discussions were held with officers from the Departments of Immigration and Customs, hotels, and other airport service providers, as well as members of the Authority’s Board of Directors on the new service. Photo: GIS
Officials added that discussions were held with officers from the Departments of Immigration and Customs, hotels, and other airport service providers, as well as members of the Authority’s Board of Directors on the new service. Photo: GIS
BEEF ISLAND, VI - As the Virgin Islands (VI) prepare for the launch of a new service to Miami with American Airlines on June 1, 2023, the carrier has named the Territory “Sexiest New Destination”.

The BVI Airports Authority in a March 2, 2023, press release said work continues at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport ahead of the new service and expected increase in passengers through the facility.

Direct flight a 'game-changer' - Hon Rymer 

The release quoted Minister of Communications and Works, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) as noting that the direct flight connectivity between the two destinations will be a “game-changer” and one of the main economic drivers to the main industries in the VI.

“I am thrilled that American Airlines has chosen to extend their services to the VI as the Government and the Authority continue to work tirelessly to enhance and increase air access to and through the Territory. Connectivity through air service development will continue to be our main focus ahead of the proposed airport development project,” he said.

“We are going to rock this destination. Congratulations BVI!” a representative from American Airlines reportedly said while congratulating the Territory on the achievement.

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Theodore E. Burke was quoted as saying that the project implementation team from American Airlines visited the Territory from February 20 to 24, 2023,  and met with officials from the BVI Airports Authority and other industry stakeholders.

Significant increase in passengers expected 

Discussions were also held with officers from the Departments of Immigration and Customs, hotels, and other airport service providers, as well as members of the Authority’s Board of Directors on the new service.

BVIAA Managing Director, Mr. Kurt A.G. Menal added that the Authority is currently undertaking the necessary steps to prepare the airport for a significant increase in passenger movement that will result from the direct connection.

The Authority said a team has already identified the office and check-in counter spaces to be occupied by American Airlines and added that the immediate next step will see the airline installing the necessary equipment and infrastructure at the airport, followed by the recruitment and training of the necessary personnel to staff their operations.

25 Responses to “VI prepares for direct Miami flights via American Airlines”

  • Josiahsbay (04/03/2023, 10:51) Like (48) Dislike (2) Reply
    We must clean up and beautify the VI to present ourselves to the new arrivals.
    • Winky (04/03/2023, 12:13) Like (27) Dislike (10) Reply
      You are absolutely correct. Tortola will never succeed in land tourism because it is a dump.
      • Regular visitor (05/03/2023, 12:33) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        The BVI is a beautiful place. Of course like all other countries it has some spots needing some work but it’s still a beautiful place.
      • GTFOH (08/03/2023, 14:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Then go back to the dump where you come from. Obviously where you cam from is more of a dump than here, hence the reason why you ran here.
    • w (04/03/2023, 14:20) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
      Didn’t they promise to fix the roads before June ??!!! Another empty promise ????
  • jobs (04/03/2023, 10:53) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Start posting the jobs let people apply
  • great (04/03/2023, 11:00) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is a good initiative but the few hater would not blog much under this story because they only want to see the government's down fall.
  • street reporter. (04/03/2023, 11:51) Like (14) Dislike (4) Reply
    Tell us about the whole contract, Is there any seat filling off setting cost that we are responsible for, if so, how many seats we have to pay for monthly.. Time to start learn and start coming clean with us..Can't say if it's good or bad until the full disclosure of the contract is known..
    • @Street Reporter (05/03/2023, 21:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are on point! I sure there are some kind of subsidy involved in order for the airline to be profitable it must reach the capacity of 3/4 but this will not happened right away so yes taxs payers will have to foot the bill until this require brenchmark is reached our maybe landing fee wouldn't be collected. We will hear more as the time goes by
  • wondering (04/03/2023, 12:26) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cost??
  • asura (04/03/2023, 13:25) Like (7) Dislike (10) Reply
    thank god for the VIP they made it happened.
  • resident (04/03/2023, 13:39) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
    Fix the d**n roads!@
  • This is laughable (04/03/2023, 13:43) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    Have you seen the condition the security officers are working in. As soon as you enter through the checkpoint the smell of the mold is so strong that it will literally make you feel sick. I don’t know how these staff continue to work in such conditions. When you see some of these officers attire- white shirt looks like brown shirt, it is so deplorable sometimes I am ashamed to have them put their hands on me. Don’t even ask for the service, it is a 1 on a scale of 5. They select you for search, there is no male at that location, the supervisor have to then call on the radio for a male at some other location. Sometimes the person who conducts the screening on the machine would have to go check bags or come and do search.
    What is even so disturbing is when I heard a security officer saying to an airline staff that they cannot take it no more because they are being overworked because of the lack of staff and their management knows what going on and fails to deal with it.
    As someone who travels a lot where are all these passengers going to sit, don’t even ask for the arrival area, the space is too small. But let’s hope that they get things complete before the June 1st.
  • travel (04/03/2023, 13:54) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    i.m sure all of thisnis being thought through but we really need to speed up the departure tax process ( or make it part of the ticket fee.
    Also, will the departure area take a plane full of passangers ( not sure of the aircraft capacity, but last check on line for july, hardly an empty seat.

    connection times in miami allowing for customs and immigration clearance .....? when i booked mine it gave me 2 hours connection time ...which in Miami is not enough time to do immigration, collect bags, recheck bags and go back through TSA.
    ground handling to do the turnaround on the tarmac to ensure flight leaves on time...?
    Check in desk...hopefully faster than some of the existing checkin staff in other airlines at beef island.
    just putting these things out there...i.m sure they are all being addressed.
    A great thing to be happening for the territory.
    well done all who have made it happen
  • DUTY FREE SHOPPING (04/03/2023, 16:04) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    Is there going to be a duty free shop on the inside and a food bars you can get a proper something to eat a d duty free means cheaper than local prices if so thank you so much
  • lol (04/03/2023, 17:43) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    I understand branding and marketing but sexy isn’t a word that comes to mind when I look at the condition of my country.
  • Tadow (04/03/2023, 23:10) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Was the million of taxpayers dollars spent by the good- for- nothing NDP Administration recovered?
  • Migomam (04/03/2023, 23:18) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    So 10 years later, 7.3million dollars short(er) and with the same airstrip and terminal, direct flights are finally here.
  • question (05/03/2023, 08:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is great news but can holder of bvi passport fly from here directly to Miami or do they have to go through St. Thomas or Puerto Rico???
    • @Question (05/03/2023, 21:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      If you dont have a us visa or a UK passport and your using the wavier allowed by using the police record you still have to to St Thomas that agreement is a part of bvi/ usvi friendship agreement
  • great (05/03/2023, 10:52) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    AA flight is great. Hat off to Hon Kye Rhymer for the hard work. How we have to fix up the airport so it works properly- faster and more polite immigration & customs, and better security process when there is a departure. And what about East End? Land in paradise and then drive through a 3rd world country where you might get shot. On terrible roads.
  • HMMM (05/03/2023, 12:41) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    It’s amazing how some of you want perfection out of the BVI but keep you mouths shut when you experience all the inefficiencies and worse conditions elsewhere.
  • Hmm (06/03/2023, 15:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This good news is not for locals as they still have to go through St. Thomas.


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