Government is aiming to have the commencement of night flights to the Auguste George Airport in Anegada by November 1.
Premier and Minister of Tourism Andrew Fahie made that comment during a recent radio broadcast, where he also disclosed plans to reopen the Anegada airport for international flights.
He said this goal will be achieved once all the necessary systems are up and running, stating that the relevant authorities are working feverishly to meet the intended deadlines.
“They’re lights at the Anegada Airport thanks to the BVI Airports Authority and all those in the government for your support and putting those funds and getting this done and the donors that have helped because some persons have come forward. So we have seen that we have the lights there and hopefully, by November 1st, it should be able to fully accommodate all night flights,” Premier Fahie stated.
He added, “And once we get the Immigration and Customs over there and the health personnel, it will be able to be open for international flights. There are planes of that size that can come straight into Anegada. So that is what we are working towards and that’s a great achievement thus far, so I thank all those involved.”
Plans for VG airport
Premier Fahie also revealed plans to have the Virgin Gorda Airport operating by the end of November, with the capability of also facilitating international flights from neighbouring islands.
He said, “In Virgin Gorda we see that they’re going to start to clean up the airport and move towards the health building. We’re aiming for Thanksgiving. I said, if you fly a turkey in by Thanksgiving. On social media a lot of persons flying turkeys in with their countdown of days and I thought that was so humorous.”
“But we are pushing for Thanksgiving so that we can get that section of Virgin Gorda economy going so that the planes that can run or fly-in directly to Virgin Gorda from Puerto Rico with those size planes can once again do so. And also, the port in Virgin Gorda to be international, which means port immigration and health.”
The plans for both airports come in conjunction with already established plans to internationalize the ferry docks located on each of the two sister islands.
Premier Fahie said the Anegada ferry dock will be made an international port of entry for 40 days in the first instance, while plans for the Virgin Gorda ferry dock is also on the way.