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'We just need to acknowledge the increased airlift'- Hon Rymer

- said 'record numbers' now coming through Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport
Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), left, at the commissioning of a new luggage conveyer belt at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on May 28, 2025. Photo: GIS
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R4) has admonished the people of the Virgin Islands (VI), calling on them to focus on the good things that are happening in the territory. Photo: Facebook
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R4) has admonished the people of the Virgin Islands (VI), calling on them to focus on the good things that are happening in the territory. Photo: Facebook
The new luggage conveyor belt and luggage collection area at the T.B. Lettsome International Airport have greater capacity than the previous belt. Photo: P. Bridgewater
The new luggage conveyor belt and luggage collection area at the T.B. Lettsome International Airport have greater capacity than the previous belt. Photo: P. Bridgewater
The environmentally effective sewage treatment plant at the T.B. Lettsome International Airport can facilitate five hundred thousand passengers per year. Photo: P. Bridgewater
The environmentally effective sewage treatment plant at the T.B. Lettsome International Airport can facilitate five hundred thousand passengers per year. Photo: P. Bridgewater
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has admonished the people of the Virgin Islands (VI), calling on them to focus on the good things that are happening in the territory.

Hon Rymer, while giving an update on works at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on the Virgin Islands Voice on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, said, “Holistically we have quite a lot happening at the airport…sometimes we focus a lot on the challenges and what is not going right but we just need to acknowledge the increased airlift, what we have done at the airport in the last couple of years.”

Proper airlift and facilities, he said, are needed to keep up with the increase in visitor arrivals the VI is currently seeing. 

Luggage conveyor belt upgraded

Earlier that day, Hon Rymer was present at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport for the commissioning of the luggage conveyor belt. 

“This has been a needed addition at the airport and…I had the opportunity to see it in operation…we’re pleased with that upgrade, as we’re seeing a number of persons coming to our shores, we’re seeing record numbers coming through the airport.”

The Minister also informed that the airport’s sewage system was also upgraded, adding that the upgrades were necessary in order to accommodate the volume of people travelling to the territory. 

The new environmentally effective sewage treatment plant can facilitate five hundred thousand passengers per year.

More work to be done

Hon Rymer stated there is much more work to be done at the airport, revealing that the arrival hall will be extended soon. 

“We’ll be able to accommodate more persons based on where it is right now, and again, I’d be happy when that is done, so we’d be able to have a more seamless and efficient process coming through the airport.”

The apron is also scheduled to receive vital upgrades, which will allow more planes and jets to be housed. 

He explained that during the peak season, aircrafts, especially private jets, drop off passengers and leave to find space elsewhere. 

As it pertains to the runway extension, Hon Rymer said the Business Case is being reviewed and will be brought to Cabinet for approval on the way forward. 

10 Responses to “'We just need to acknowledge the increased airlift'- Hon Rymer”

  • PT 109 (30/05/2025, 10:04) Like (22) Dislike (7) Reply
    We just need to acknowledge that you are a waste of time.
  • great (30/05/2025, 10:48) Like (5) Dislike (13) Reply
    More passengers utilizing the existing runway so no need to expand that part of the airport. Maybe time to commence a fuel depot and refueling area at the airport as well as a plane park area. Since more airlift visitors lets cut back on the cruise ship arrivals. Maybe only 1 small or medium ship a day from November to April at the cruise pier in Road Harbour with a minimum 18 hrs at the dock. Also no more large cruise ships in the BVI only ships with less than 1000 persons aboard.

    • I fail to understand.. (30/05/2025, 14:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I cannot understand the mindset that we have to be one or the other why cant we be both? Why is it that other islands have the capacity to do both but we cant? We are in a unique position because of the amoint of islands and the lay out that we can provide privicy and exculsivity to the high end and still cater to the lower and mid markets. This thinking that we can only cater to the super rich is wrong and not sustainable. The high end argument reminds me of the BVI population itself , we like to boast about our high GDP but go below the surface and we see that the mejority of the population is just making ends meet but we still pretend otherwise.
  • Please clap. (30/05/2025, 10:53) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    So they want a pat on the back for doing what they were elected to do? In increments? Speaking of which…..never mind.
  • LOL (30/05/2025, 11:01) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Always dong things for 10 years ago not 15 years ahead.
  • Sea side (30/05/2025, 11:41) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    When will something be done about the Road Town ferry dock how about a belt way for all the luggage that passes through there and get something done about that dock from since September 2017 and nothing has been done to make the dock safer
  • BuzzBvi (30/05/2025, 12:18) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    We haven't seen the reports yet. SECRETS. SECRETS. SECRETS.
    From what you are saying we are doing fine with the flights we have.
    The infrastructure certainly can't handle the visitors we already have.
    No more DEBT.
    Fix some things.
    Thanks.
    Can you let us know what the good things are. Did you take the ridge track to get to the airport? Or the lower track? Notice anything?
  • Seaports too? (30/05/2025, 16:16) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    You are bragging about taking $5 from your left pocket and putting it in your right pocket! The airport numbers are up but the seaport numbers are down. Tell us Mr. Minister...why should we celebrate this. Can you acknowledge that you and your government are failing miserably!
    • Because the Customers win (30/05/2025, 19:57) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      I can celebrate this because i dodnt have to deal with the poor service and inconvenient timetable of the Ferries . So I prefer my $5 at the airport. Imporve ferry service and then come back with an argument. You all full you belly when you was the only game in Town and took advantage and now you crying now that the public has moved on.Serves you right
  • facts (31/05/2025, 07:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    When are you going to fix the freight scanner? It is beyond belief that goods are coming in unchecked??


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