TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, Mar 09 2017 – Two regional carriers have filed a joint objection to a recent application made by BVI Airways to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for Exemption Authority and a Foreign Air Carrier Permit.
Last month, BVI Airways applied to the DOT for permission to conduct scheduled foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail between the prescribed UK Caribbean gateway points via intermediate points, to points in the United States and beyond.
It also sought authority to carry out charter foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail between the British Virgin Islands and any point(s) in the United States.
The airline plans to offer service four times each week between Beef Island, Miami International and San Juan Luis Munoz Marin airport in Puerto Rico – increasing flights to daily.
However VI Airlink – that is also based here and the Turks and Caicos based interCaribbean Airways claim that as parties whose operations may be affected by the application, they were never served a copy of its application in violation of DOT requirements.
Both airlines have also questioned government’s impartiality given an alleged investment made to stimulate demand for flights between the BVI and the United States.
The airlines made reference to press reports in which Premier Dr. Orlando Smith is quoted as saying his government has “invested” US$7 million into the development of flights between Miami International and Beef Island.
Officials from VI Airline and interCaribbean Airways state that BVI Airways had previously claimed the funds mentioned, to be a loan.
They argue that the issue of direct financial support will create a conflict of interest between locally-owned airlines and the BVI Government given the latter’s purported role in BVI Airways’ operations.
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