The Government of the Virgin Islands is pressing ahead with public consultations on the proposed expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, an initiative aimed at enhancing air connectivity and bolstering the Territory’s economy.

Last week, the Ministry of Communications and Works, in collaboration with the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA), held a series of meetings across the Territory to update residents on the progress of the airport expansion business case and gather their views.

Honourable Kye M. Rymer, Minister for Communications and Works, attributed the project’s slow progress to the lack of a comprehensive business case, a key requirement highlighted by UK officials during discussions on the expansion.

“Following the decision to expand the runway, UK officials requested that a business case be prepared, leading to the present circumstances, as the Green Book Business Case had never been completed,” Honourable Rymer explained.

Efforts are underway to finalise the business case by February 2025, although the Minister cautioned that it is too early to establish a fixed timeline. “We cannot provide a specific timeline at this moment as we are still navigating the business case process,” he said, noting similarities to delays experienced in 2016 when a contractor was selected prematurely.

Clive Smith, Director of Special Projects at the BVIAA, outlined the structure of the business case, which comprises five critical components:

1. The Strategic Case
2. The Economic Case
3. The Commercial Case
4. The Financial Case
5. The Management Case

The team is currently focusing on the Economic Case, which aims to identify the best option for expansion.

Jeffery Seider, Vice President of WSP Global, stressed that the expansion seeks to improve air access while addressing the airport’s existing capacity constraints. He noted that public feedback is vital at this stage of planning.

“The outline business case, passenger forecasting and master plan processes are ongoing,” said Mr Seider. “This public consultation ensures that your feedback shapes the future of this project.”

Kurt Menal, Managing Director of the BVIAA, reaffirmed the airport’s role as a vital commercial hub and economic driver for the Virgin Islands.

The consultation panel also included Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mrs Elvia Smith-Maduro, and Jack Mackenzie, Senior Managing Advisor at KPMG Islands Group.

Attendees at each meeting were invited to complete surveys, ranking options based on the presentations and providing their feedback for consideration in the next phase of the project.