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.