Monday, January 01, 2007Keeping the air links strong

Denniston FrazerThe BVI Airport Authority establishes a strong foundation for a bright future for aviation in the British Virgin Islands.

For an island Territory such as the BVI, air access is not only a critical economic link, but also a matter of life and death. With the establishment of the BVI Airports Authority on August 31, 2005, the past two years have been active ones for the BVI aviation industry, as well as local and regional aviation authorities.
The BVI Airports Authority Ltd. (BVIAA) was registered on August 15th, 2005, and commenced operations on August 31st, 2005. The Authority is mandated to manage and operate all the airports in the Territory according to the Airports Act. This Act, which was passed in Legislative Council on December 31, 2004 and enacted on March 2, 2005, provided for the formation of a limited liability company for the sole purpose of carrying on the business of operating the International Airport at Beef Island and any other airport that Executive Council may, by order, determine, as commercial undertakings.

Before August 2005, the Civil Aviation Department was the primary department responsible for managing, operating and regulating all airports in the Territory. It may be said that before the establishment of the BVI Airports Authority, the Civil Aviation Department regulated its own activity. It was for obvious reasons, therefore, that the Airport Act was passed, thus paving the way for aviation in the BVI to be in sync with international standards which require separate regulatory and operational functions. Air Safety Support International (ASSI), a UK based company, is now the local regulator ensuring that aviation in the BVI is in on par with international standards. It is envisioned that in the future, the BVI Airports Authority will take over this responsibility.

Since its inception, management at the BVI Airports Authority has been working tirelessly to put systems in place in order to elevate safety standards in aviation in the BVI. The Authority’s vision is “to develop and maintain world class airports which provide safe and secure gateways to the world and entrances to the Virgin Islands.”

Through focused, professional and uncompromised commitment to excellence, the BVI Airports Authority shall develop and operate a safe, efficient and economically viable system of airports within the Virgin Islands.

Currently, with most of the top positions filled, the BVIAA is poised for growth in the aviation industry. It is envisioned that by March 2007, a new Director of Operations will be on board, which will translate into a more robust enforcement of safety standards for aviation.

As it relates to safety, one area of focus for the BVIAA is the Taddy Bay Airport on the island of Virgin Gorda. The BVIAA inherited this airport, whose geographic positioning has led to a few safety concerns. As such, Virgin Gorda Airport has been given a series of temporary licenses to operate by the regulators. In an effort to put things right and gain long-term licensure for the Virgin Gorda Airport, the BVIAA has taken the following measures to ensure that Virgin Gorda remains as safe as it can be, given the current situation: A new fire truck was commissioned at the Virgin Gorda Airport in December 2005; increased complement of three firemen brings the staffing in compliance with international standards; runway and apron markings were commissioned; the sides of the runway strip have been made free of all obstacles, trees, and bushes that could potentially damage an aircraft.

In addition, procedures were implemented for prior notification to the BVI Airports Authority of any aircraft arriving into Virgin Gorda. This will provide the Authority with at least two hours notice of any aircraft inbound to Virgin Gorda. Pilots intending to land in Virgin Gorda must also have at least 1500 hours total flight time with at least 100 hours on type. A minimum of 25 total landings into Virgin Gorda must also have been completed. Pilots who do not meet the requirements for landing in Virgin Gorda are not given clearance for landing. It is the intention of the BVIAA and the Government of the BVI to ensure that Virgin Gorda meets all international standards.

As a result, we have commissioned a master plan study for all three airports, in which is embedded a strategic plan for the Virgin Gorda aerodrome. This master plan, when completed, will provide the Authority with a 20-25 year outlook for all airports in the Territory. As part and parcel of this master plan, five (5) year strategic plans for all airports will be completed by the end of 2007. Meanwhile, Virgin Gorda was also the chosen site for seaplane landings.

Earlier this year, the BVIAA was asked to spearhead the commissioning of a water-drome in Virgin Gorda. Such a facility, when completed, should be able to accommodate seaplanes into and out of the Gun Creek area in North Sound. SLC Associates, (a UK based Surveying Company) conducted a special WGS-84 survey of the area earlier this year, and we are currently in communication with the Regulator, Air Safety Support International, in an effort to have this area certified as a landing site for seaplanes.

The BVIAA will continue talks with the regulators and the BVI Ports Authority in order to bring the water-drome to fruition. Since its establishment in 2005, the BVIAA has set out to establish a foundation for a bright future for aviation in the BVI. We have been focusing on establishing a strong organisational structure, developing clear plans for the future, and building a good relationship with our stakeholders. We have also tackled several pressing issues and acted quickly to ensure continued air access for Virgin Gorda. The foundation that we are laying promises that in the future, the air link which is so important to the BVI will remain strong.

Oyster Publications Inc, PO box 3369, Road Town Tortola, British Virgin Islands, VG1110