Chief Minister Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith and Finance Minister Hon. Ronnie Skelton sign agreement for purchase of Virgin Gorda Airport; looking on at left is Gen. Mgr. Little Dix Bay Hotel Mr. Martin van Wagenberg [GIS photo/Rick Evans]

Virgin Gorda Airport Agreement Signed

An agreement to purchase the Virgin Gorda Airport has been signed. During his Tuesday (June 14) visit to Virgin Gorda, Chief Minister Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith announced that he was going to sign such an agreement. 

“The purchase agreement of the land on which the Virgin Gorda airport sits was not a step that we took lightly. We made a promise to the people of the BVI that we would get value for their money,” Dr Smith told Virgin Gordians and residents.

The BVI Leader said that after long negotiations he is now confident that the government has reached a satisfactory deal. “For the people of Virgin Gorda, this purchase agreement means that the land for the airport is secure and government can now continue to review its operation as a safe commercial airport.”

Dr. Smith recognized the importance of travel linkages to Virgin Gorda: “as a responsible government...we have completed the design for the repair of the dock at Trellis Bay and have put the designs out for bids, and a visitor’s centre is being planned. The Helipads for helicopter flights will be provided. My government has had negotiations with Seaborne, the seaplane company that has committed to flights into Gun Creek from St. Thomas and likely Puerto Rico, thus maintaining the air links into Virgin Gorda.”

The Chief Minister went on to say that, “visitors will still be able to enjoy the speed and convenience of an air connection to the island, and residents will continue to have the peace of mind and security in terms of emergency evacuation services. And by strengthening the security of the people of Virgin Gorda, we are also providing a direct and important benefit to the entire BVI.”