After a nearly six-month hiatus, international flights can once again operate out of the Captain Auguste George International Airport on Anegada, the BVI Airports Authority announced on March 28.
The facility was closed to foreign flights last October because of maintenance issues that led to problems staffing it with immigration and customs officers, BVIAA Director of Operations Kyle Cummings told the Beacon .
“The major issue was mould, and that was rectified,” he said, adding that the building received mould-remediation measures and a thorough cleaning.
The airport doesn’t operate regularly scheduled flights, but it can now accept charter flights from abroad.
The first arrived on March 23 from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and from St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, according to the BVIAA.
Those flights were facilitated by Fly BVI and Island Birds, both locally owned and operated charter companies.
‘Economic growth’
Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer described the reintroduction of the flights as part of the government’s broader work to ensure a smooth travel experience for all passengers.
“This initiative not only highlights our dedication to expanding air connectivity but also underscores our commitment to fostering economic growth in the Virgin Islands,” he said.
The move, he added, will bolster tourism on the sister island.
“The inclusion of foreign flights into Anegada signifies a strategic move to showcase the natural beauty and warm hospitality of the island, thereby attracting more visitors,” he said.
Granting the island better access to hubs like San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Martin also opens new opportunities for Anegada businesses, he said.
Mr. Cummings noted that any operator using the airport from abroad must obtain prior permission from the BVIAA.