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VI welcomes inaugural WINAIR ATR-42 flight @ T.B. Lettsome Airport

The Virgin Islands (VI) has welcomed Winward Islands Airways International’s (WINAIR) inaugural ATR-42 flight to the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport today, July 15, 2023. Photo: Facebook
Hon Hon Kye M. Rymer said the new route via WINAIR means the VI can now facilitate Regional and International connecting flights to the VI through Antigua. Photo: HoA/File
Hon Hon Kye M. Rymer said the new route via WINAIR means the VI can now facilitate Regional and International connecting flights to the VI through Antigua. Photo: HoA/File
 The 48-seater WINAIR ATR-42 aircraft at the T.B. Lettsome international airport. Photo: Facebook
The 48-seater WINAIR ATR-42 aircraft at the T.B. Lettsome international airport. Photo: Facebook
BEEF ISLAND, VI– The Virgin Islands (VI) has welcomed Winward Islands Airways International’s (WINAIR) inaugural ATR-42 flight to the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport today, July 15, 2023.

This is according to Minister for Works and Communication’s, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) in a statement today on the social media platform Facebook.

“The new 48-seater aircraft will now serve the newly introduced route with flights from Tortola to Antigua. This is another milestone and forward advancement for the BVI in strengthening it’s Tourism alliances,” the minister added. 

The new flight comes following the commencement of VI to Miami Direct Flights at the same airport via American Airlines (AA) on June 1, 2023.

More flights for VI since Wheatley Gov't takes office 

Then in mid-June 2023, BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA) announced that just two weeks after the commencement of the VI to Miami direct service, AA announced that it will be doubling the number of flights to the Territory for the winter season, which starts in December. 

AA in the press release said commencing December 2023, the airline will increase flights on the new direct route from once daily to twice daily. It added that travelers looking to escape the cold this next winter will have more choices in the Caribbean and Latin America. 

Hon Rymer said the new route via WINAIR means the VI can now facilitate Regional and International connecting flights to the VI through Antigua.  

Since taking office, VI Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has promised that his Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government will boost tourism in the VI starting with the arrival of more flight’s to the main T.B. Lettsome Airport.

40 Responses to “VI welcomes inaugural WINAIR ATR-42 flight @ T.B. Lettsome Airport”

  • For Real? (15/07/2023, 18:40) Like (13) Dislike (27) Reply
    Nice. Now let's have another $250,000.00 concert to commemorate.
    • herbs power (16/07/2023, 10:01) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      What i need now is a drone vehicle to get around in the BVI because these bad roads killing me.
  • Good news and bad news (15/07/2023, 18:47) Like (19) Dislike (14) Reply
    WINAIR has always provided us with great service and I pray they will do it more than the 10 weeks AA is flying non stop to Miami since I learned today, when I wanted to book a RT flight with them in September, that they will discontinue the service from 14 August until late November. Is this what we threw a 250K party for?
    • Hurricane Season (17/07/2023, 10:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      They said that when they first announced the direct flights! It's the height of hurricane season when most travel to the Caribbean is down.
  • good (15/07/2023, 18:50) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nice
  • Nice (15/07/2023, 19:15) Like (24) Dislike (14) Reply
    VIP government really doing a good job.
  • facts (15/07/2023, 19:16) Like (20) Dislike (8) Reply
    Now this is progress. We must give the Government credit for this one and American coming and going directly to USA. This is progress.
  • NDP supporter (15/07/2023, 19:17) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    I am not a vip government supporter, but I like this move. They are really working hard to increase air traffic in and out the BVI. It is well needed.
  • lol (15/07/2023, 19:18) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    The critics probable sleeping or did not see this one yet. Wait for it.
  • Ok now (15/07/2023, 19:19) Like (8) Dislike (14) Reply
    I wonder if Governor John Rankin will congratulate the government on this yet another good initiative...don't hold our breath.
  • facts (15/07/2023, 19:40) Like (13) Dislike (12) Reply
    Vip is the only party that can develop the bvi
  • Styles. (15/07/2023, 19:44) Like (32) Dislike (9) Reply
    Let’s be real. The government did not do this.

    Purely a financial decision by Winair.
    • @ styles (15/07/2023, 21:36) Like (14) Dislike (16) Reply
      Of course the government did this! As investors have full confidence in the vip government and not in the corrupt ndp 1 or 2
      • HAHAHA (16/07/2023, 06:23) Like (17) Dislike (8) Reply
        - VIP gives government grants to family members
        - VIP hires barges for no reason
        - VIP gives out security contracts to friends and family
        - VIP hired CSC with no deliverables
        - VIPs previous leader is in jail.

        Believe me when I say that the only people who have faith in VIP are their beneficiaries.

        VIP is super corrupt.
        • @HAHAHA (16/07/2023, 14:42) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
          People like you just annoys most of the people of the BVI. I will help your bad minded, BVI hater self by naming a just few and I mean just a few good from all BVI governments and leaders over the years:
          1) Save thousands of lives through proactive measures during Covid which was the worse pandemic in the last 100yrs,
          2) New ESHS High School facilities as well as JVD and others.
          3) Repaired many school facilities on all islands that were damaged by Irma.
          4) Repaired many government buildings and facilities on all islands that were damaged by Irma.
          5) Made the funds available to the Governor to pay all public servants increments which he can't get done up to now. Also, pay for all the Governor expenses such as maid, butler, driver, vehicle, cook, domestic workers, local staff, etc
          6) Negotiated and achieved direct flights to the BVI from the US.
          7) Made tertiary education at HLSCC free for all belongers.
          8) Regularized over 1500 persons with status after being ignored for years as I am one.
          9) Built a modern hospital facility.
          10) Award over 40 scholarships yearly to students to study abroad.
          11) Fed the whole BVI while under lock down due to covid crisis/pandemic.
          12) Pass plenty good governance legislation long before any COI.
          13) Allowed 6th form so students who excel can do A levels and beyond.
          14) Made it stamp duty tax free for all first-time home and landowners.
          15) HLSCC was built and lately accredited.
          16) Education system was accredited.
          17) Built and lately repaired the multipurpose complex.
          18) Implemented NHI (although it needs improvements it has its purpose)
          19) Built the tourism and financial services industry over the years with little or no major assistance.
          20) Have people who were educated in the BVI who became Chief Justice, baseball stars, basketball stars, track and field stars as well as other sports and professions worldwide.
          21) Fought the colonial masters to get back Wickhams Cay.
          22) Made many things customs duty free to help with the economic hardship during covid and now.
          23) Always have a balanced budget and is well known and respect for good financial stewardship by all financial institutions except the colonial masters.
          24) Fund the same police force so the UK Commissioner of police can brag how many new recruits he gets per year (Still he & the Governor cannot keep the CGB and West End police station opened).
          25) Well respected by many regional and international bodies like CDB, CARICOM, etc.
          26) Passes their budgets on time and avoid budget deficits.
          27) Free secondary and primary education and assistance for public transportation to public schools.
          28) Training, certification and qualification of teachers with bachelors, etc through UWI and other educational institutions.
          29) Leads the way per capita for people with bachelors and other education certifications.
          30) Certification programmes for persons in the marine industry in all areas.

          I will stop there for now because persons like you and the Governor and his UK gang on a mission to make the world think that nothing good happens in the BVI nor from its people, but the record is there to prove that filth is WRONG. Trust me there are plenty more that can be listed so come test me again when you are ready. I was not born here but I made it my home and PROUD OF THE BVI!!!
          • Sickening (17/07/2023, 10:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            This is sickening! WHERE IS THE INNOVATION? WHERE ARE THE PROACTIVE PROJECTS?? The things you listed are things that any government should do for it's people and country! WHAT ABOUT THE ROADS AND THE WATER & SEWERAGE???
    • Absolutely (16/07/2023, 12:29) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
      Decisions like this is not because of Negotions with the government. Thisove by WinAir is absolutely an Economic decision designed to improve Market Share and profitability; Unlike the Billionaires that government gives Concession Deals, (Exemption of Land Transfer Taxes, Water-rights, Pioneer Status which includes tax-free on imports for their hotels and villas, while already reaping benefits from the American Tax system for out-of-country investments etc. Market share and Invester-Dividends is what's at stake here. Nothing that hon Kue or Sowande bargained for.
      • @ absolutely (16/07/2023, 14:50) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        Some of you only see the bad in everything concerning the BVI. No businessperson worth their salt invests in a failing economy or market. This means the BVI Government has kept the market in this respect viable and profitable which played a vital role in them making the decision to significantly invest more in their product being offered to the BVI. They will now make more money and so will the BVI.
  • Zone 5 (15/07/2023, 19:45) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    Jealous funny man will say that wind air would have come anyway
    • @HAHAHA (16/07/2023, 10:57) Like (9) Dislike (9) Reply
      -NDP lost lost $70m from SSB that was never disclosed
      -NDP build a wall for million
      -NDP give away $7.2 for airline that never came
      -NDP have one person who wants to be leader is facing charges
      -NDP too gives contract to family and friends too (wall project check the amount of sub contractors)
      • BOTTOM LINE (16/07/2023, 14:24) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
        The VIP give away 45 million dollars from social security to friends, families and cronys to do their breasts, body work cars, personal children school fees and bay their boyfriends personal bills after giving him belonger status before his time.
        • @BOTTOM LINE (16/07/2023, 17:07) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
          Wasn't it rumored that Mr. Omar Hodge did same for a lot of Spanish. I don't have fact as I said its just rumored
      • To @HAHAHA (16/07/2023, 14:46) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Ok Governor and your UK PR crew. We know this game. Post all the negativity about the UK and their leaders over the last 5 years only and it will be clear they are far worse than what you all trying to portray in the BVI. The BVI has far more good than what bad and that's a fact.
  • mulato (15/07/2023, 20:08) Like (21) Dislike (6) Reply
    Fantastic, more flights, more tourist, but what about East End welcome roads, 250k may have to be used to repair that nasty road that connect the airport. the worst in the Caribbean full of holes and nasty smell.
  • LM (15/07/2023, 20:50) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    Ho hum. Nothing new. Economy stabilizing after Covid so airlines re-introduce old lucrative routes. Same happened in 2019 after the 2017 hurricanes. WIA always had this route.
    • vi (16/07/2023, 01:30) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
      Winair did not always have this route, as they only flew to and from St. Maarten from the VI. The Antigue route is new and welcomed. Kudos to all involved.
  • kpt (15/07/2023, 21:30) Like (14) Dislike (8) Reply
    It’s really sick that the government is pushing for all these lines to fly into the BVI and bragging on how much tourist will be flying in when some of the worse roads are from Beef Island to Road Town and beyond they have no shame.
  • Kingfish (15/07/2023, 21:36) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    Change the name of the airport to BVI International Airport,there were so many more people instrumental in creation of that airport than Mr.Lettsome.
  • ha (15/07/2023, 22:15) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    The only reason there is more flights is because the industry is growing back to its normal numbers after Covid. We still have less flights than pre AE departure in what 2008. This man is so full of horse manure and manipulative of actual facts.
  • Yeat my Yass like Candy (15/07/2023, 23:03) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    Kudos to team VIP. We in thing now. All we need is Willock back asap
  • Wasted 250,000 (15/07/2023, 23:19) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
    Another free concert?????
  • the doc (15/07/2023, 23:27) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    It is good for the tourists who are coming from Miami yes, but now i guess the west end ferry terminal will never get off the the ground. So we all can forget that port of entry. The Isabella Morris primary school is out to pasture. Priority has gone through the door when it comes to the western side of the island.
  • Citizen (16/07/2023, 03:34) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    another progressive day for the BVI under a VIP led Government full steam ahead boss
    • bull sht (16/07/2023, 14:20) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      A company decided to use bigger planes on all their routes....What the hell VIP got to do with that??
      • @ bull sh** (17/07/2023, 10:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

        People do not invest in dying economies so kudos to the BVI Government for keep growing the economy.

  • Oh boy. (16/07/2023, 04:18) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why it couldn't stoo in SK on its way to Antigua, that would guarantee a full flight every time..SK is the real action vacation fun place in the Caribbean and with CPL cricked coming in September and Carnival in December in Sk. Wow. Only flight that goes straight to SK now is Liat on that's once a Weak on a Sunday returned on a Friday...Win Air would have done extremely well stopping in SK on its way to and from Antigua on Saturdays.
  • @ ha ha (16/07/2023, 08:18) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Your forgot , they were the Government Who bring COI too
  • FOOLING THEMSELVES (16/07/2023, 14:26) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    I GUESS THAT ANTIGUA GOVERNMENT IS TAKING CREDIT TOO LIKE VIP
  • Wrong route (16/07/2023, 16:20) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    This flight should be on the Torola to SanJuan route but they are not going to do that to reduce the cost.
  • Strupes (17/07/2023, 01:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    They should ban some of you from blogging.


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