TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Miami-Tortola Bombardier Q400

There is a post on the BVI Community Page on FB about the possibility of a MIA-EIS flight on a Bombardier Q400 starting. It looks like it stops in Turks/Caicos then Tortola. Targeting $350 RT. 2 flights daily Nov-April, then 3 flights weekly May-Oct proposed. Anyone heard about this or who is testing this possibility?

It's certainly possible to use the aircraft on that route. It would end up load restricted on the departure from EIS if the temp is above 65 degrees. It would be a long flight at prop speeds with a one hour stop. If the runway ended up wet at EIS the aircraft would have to delay the departure until it dried.
G

I would look forward to another for route down.

Isn't the temp at EIS pretty much always above 65?

I don't understand the comment either. How often are Miami or Turks below 65f? But warmer air is less dense anyway. So maybe the aircraft will always be less packed.

It is all speculation right now but Giles Cadman, who is working on the idea has the resoures to get it started.

I took a look at the performance of the aircraft using a 3700 foot runway with no departure obstructions. Anything above 65 for a 480 mile flt looked like it would be load restricted, thats where the 65 came from. Every degree above that increases the restriction. This would only apply out of EIS as it is the airport with the short runway. I am not sure however if the departure path is considered obstacle free.
It's probable however that they plan reduced loads out of EIS and filling the aircraft up at the intermediate stop. A stop raises costs substantially so I wonder what their break even price would really be.
I would like to see the BVI government focus on the near term and see about attracting quality service from SJU to EIS with larger aircraft. Rebating half the current 40 dollar per passenger fee at EIS as a subsidy might encourage additional flights.

I looked at the specs for the new bombardier CS100 . Could this aircraft service EIS from Miami or New York with a small runway extension.

I don't know the answer since the aircraft is not yet in service and I could not find any performance charts. With the temps in the BVI I would guess you would need at least 5000 feet for Miami and 5500 for NYC. Published ranges are almost useless in looking at a city pair because of the varibles.
Life rafts for instance add a lot of weight. You can get by without them but then have route restrictions. Obstacles in the departure corridor have a big effect on takeoff weight and weather at the destination can require additional fuel.
One option would be to depart EIS and go to SJU for a fuel only stop. If you took on only fuel and did not go to a gate you could make a very quick turn. 15 minutes would be possible if the truck is waiting. From there you could make most Eastern US cities. The fuel stop however adds costs.
Last I heard the plans to extend the runway are still a go. I suspect Trellis Bay will be the casulity of the plan. I know several locals I spoke with are in favor of the extension. I was surprised to find they are very aware of Cuba and its potential to draw tourists from the US. They feel it's important to make it easier to get to the BVI.
G

The Cuba factor really does make sense...maybe one day the cost differential to be able to fly into EIS will work again...

I was just trying to figure out why it cost so much to fly into EIS so I was looking at all the taxes and fees involved in flying round trip into EIS from either SJU or MIA. Facilities charges, segment fee, INS, TSA, International depature/arrival and EIS development fee and not counting facility and landing fees at SJU or the T&Cs come to a little over $120 a seat.

Giles is the owner of the business that started as Castaways, then ???, now Origin (sushi).

Cadman is into a bunch of things ranging from wine speculation to real estate. One of the few BVI based international corporate structures who actually lives in the BVI.

The taxes and fees are out of control. As I have mentioned before the BVI government should focus on improving the ferries and using a chunk of that tax money to promote or even subsidize the SJU to EIS leg.
I suspect you could set up a solid inter island ferry system for pennies on the dollar compared to the runway extension. Maybe even add a terminal at the STT airport. Imagine walking from your flight arriving STT straight to the Ferry and having your bags connected automatically to the Ferry.
On your return you would arrive at the STT airport and go straight to customs where you would find the bags from the ferry waiting. You would clear once, recheck the bags and be at your gate!
I guess I am dreaming!
G

I think you are dreaming in terms that make way too much sense.

Dreaming yes <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> Besides the taxi union would have kittens over the idea. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

The study I did last year on the ferry system came up with a total investment of about $15 mil would replace all the boats with 6 new 100 passenger fast ferries and provide service matching the airline schedules plus commuter demand. The problem with my plan was that it would require cooperation bettween the 3 ferry companies and government oversight. Neither of which is practical.

There was a plan at one time to build a BVI ferry terminal in Lindbergh Bay with walking acccess to STT but the taxi drivers shot it down.

Think about the $$ those STT cabbies make..$20 a head for a less than ten min run in a van loaded with 10 to 12 folks..plus some charge $2 per bag...over $200 for ten mins work..not bad..do that ten times a day!! WOW!

Not sure how legit Mr. Cadman's business ventures are. Google "Venulum" (his company), and make your own decision. But I do love Origin.

I had no idea there was a actual plan to build a ferry terminal at Lindbergh bay. I am sure the cab drivers did not like it but what a huge improvement. They might not like a substantial number of current visiters finding a vacation alternative either. From your numbers it sounds like improvements to the ferry would be pennies on the dollar to the runway expansion.
G

Then they could make $20 a head for a 1 min ride...surprised they did not support it...

Guessing those like the Owners of Oil Nut Bay and Mega Yacht dock in North Sound and many banking interests and likely government officials are more interested in direct flights with no intermediate customs from many far flung destinations, having nothing to do with what most of us are concerned with..a cost effective, timely way to reach the BVI with no worry about customs, anonymity or cargo.