TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Airbus 318 from Halifax, Canada lands at Beef Island

Taken from the BVI AIrports Authority Facebook page.

The British Virgin Islands Airports Authority welcomes the arrival of Titan Airways' Airbus 318 direct from Halifax, Canada, the first such aircraft, and the largest commercial aircraft with passengers onboard, to land at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport. This is an historic moment, proof positive of the realistic possibilities for direct flights between the BVI and the American mainland and a major step towards increasing our airlift capacity.

Photos and videos are available on the page.

This flight with 32 business passengers (low weight) started at London City Airport to Halifax for fuel then to the BVI This plane is a A318 set up for steep (5.5%) landing and takeoffs at LCY. The only realistic plane today for the BVI is the A220 which Delta has 26 (96 ordered)

Sure wish they could work out a deal with Delta. Unfortunately, it carries 33% less passengers than the 737 they already fly to STT but it sure would be a popular flight!

The A220 could do the eastern US to the BVI. Delta is taking delivery of a new one every month and next year starts getting the bigger version however it probably would be weight restricted on departure from the BVI. JetBlue is the only other US airline with the jet on order however I believe they ordered only the larger version. The question is can the BVI support the flights. I suspect a weekend service would be viable. Had the BVI used the 7 million they blew on starting their own airline on subsiding Delta for a year or two starting up I have no doubt they would have tried the route. Airlines love Subsidies!

With St Thomas planning a big renovation including jet bridges all the BVI's should do is improve the ferry service. Have a designated BVI person greet flights, direct folks to designated taxis, leave immediately for the dock where a modern high speed ferry awaits with ready cocktails. Improve C and I when they arrive in the BVI's. Maybe the wasted $7 million for a non existant airline could have been put to better use???

Add in customs officers on the ferry to preclear the passengers into the BVI and you have a winner! Better yet put Kiosks on the ferry for customs clearance. If I can fly into Tel Aviv and clear customs via a Kiosk in a minute or two the BVI can certainly work it out!
G

In addition to the tourism benefits, I imagine improved ferries and customs would be a plus for locals as well. I don't know if BVI voters have strong opinions about that.

Dan

Bingo!!

Undoubtably these (flights through STT) would be the cheaper flights and the the most popular.

Not sure the STT taxi drivers have nixed it but the original plan for the STT expansion included a ferry terminal in Lindberg Bay.

Glenn..if they haven't they probably will..time to dust off your ferry survey and send it top the new Gov.!

A ferry terminal in Lindberg Bay is extremely unlikely to ever be built. Port Authority, locally, and Customs/Immigration, federally, together would have to plan, fund and build it, it would usurp beachfront land which is more valuable as a resort development, would require permitting from Army Corps of Engineers, Coastal Zone Management, Legislative Approval and likely a bulkhead for sea conditions.
With Tortola Wharf existing downtown and another C&I building slated for Red Hook there would be little traffic anticipated from just airline transfers.
Taxi drivers do have a strong voting bloc but not as much political and financial influence except at the polls.