Local News
Prevailing Winds and Heat Delayed June 4 American Airlines Flight 3989 From BVI To Miami
Managing Director of the British Virgin Islands Airports Authority Kurt Menal today confirmed that prevailing winds and high temperature were the reasons for the June 4 late departure of American Airlines Flight 3989 from the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport, Beef Island.
In a statement released today, June 5, Menal said the conditions were noted prior to the departure of the non-stop service destined to Miami, United States and that all aircrafts were forced to depart from runway 25 from the east instead of runway 07 from the west.
“All aircraft operating at the airport were forced to depart using runway 25 from the east instead of runway 07 from the west on the day in question. Runway 25 is approximately 295 feet shorter than runway 07 and the temperatures and winds were not favorable at the scheduled time of American Airline’s departure,” Menal explained.
He added: “American Airlines operates at the T.B. Lettsome International Airport with restrictions on passenger loads on departure as a result of the current runway length constraints. The airline also has further restrictions that are required to be incorporated into their operational planning should they have to depart from a different direction than normal.”
According to Menal, the American Airlines pilot made a decision to ” reduce the weight on the aircraft ahead of take-off to ensure the safety of all passengers on board and the safe operations as it was departing from another direction. The payload was reduced when the airline removed all passengers’ luggage following which it departed the Territory.
American Airlines Client Service Department has been in contact with the affected passengers and has undertaken the necessary steps to have all luggage depart the Territory today and delivered to their respective owners.”
In the release, American Airlines apologised for any inconvenience caused “to passengers as a result of the required safety measures that were undertaken. The Authority pledged its full commitment to upholding its motto of “safety is our number one priority”.
An American Airlines flight carrying a total of 79 passengers on June 1 made the historic inaugural trip from Miami to the BVI.
The plane landed smoothly at 1:15p.m. with a group of happy passengers, including the British Virgin Islands Premier and Tourism Minister Natalio Wheatley and Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer, after just three hour in the air.
Some 2,128 passengers are expected to fly monthly to the territory with American Airlines without battling connections and island-hopping.
The last direct flight from Miami to the BVI was in October 1986 with the now defunct British Caribbean Airways.
The American Airline flight will operate from now to August 14, and resume services in November this year.
A daily flight is scheduled to depart Miami International Airport at 10:07 a.m. and arrive in the territory at 1:06 p.m.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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