More information is needed as is relates to the feasibility of having direct flights between Tortola here in the British Virgin Islands and Miami in the United States, according to social commentator Natalio ‘Sowande’ Wheatley. During his ‘Umoja’ radio programme on Thursday, Wheatley noted that the possibility of having direct flights between the two destinations is among reasons put forward for the proposed expansion of the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport here in the BVI. He questioned the assumption that having direct flights to Miami would result in more people using the expanded airport. Wheatley indicated that, based on his observation, persons are more concerned about the cost of travelling than mere access to direct flights. He further suggested that many people currently avoid using Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport because it is cheaper to travel to Miami by first travelling on ferry through St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. “Yes there is a need for good access to the BVI, but I believe – without having the figures – that the primary reason that people travel to St. Thomas has to do with the price,” Wheatley posited, adding that a feasibility study should be done. “I think the public has to be educated as to what the cost of a ticket will be from the BVI going to the US, and have a real study. I am not sure if a study has been done in terms of what type of impact that will make on travelling out of Beef Island (Tortola) as opposed to people having to go to St. Thomas; because I believe the price is a huge factor.” Natalio ‘Sowande’ Wheatley Enough flights? Wheatley also wants to know whether there will be enough flights between Tortola and Miami, following the expansion of the airport. “How many flights will we really be able to get available going into the United States? How many flights a day (or) flights a week? Will it be a very significant difference? We need to check on that and we might discover.” While the National Democratic Party government presses ahead with the proposed airport expansion, Wheatley said more information and debates are required. “I am one person that supported extending the runway just from a conceptual standpoint, but once we have the information now, we got to be able to evaluate the information and see whether this is something that will really increase visitors to the BVI,” he said. Wheatley continued: “Can we fill a plane from Miami? And if we can fill a plane, how many times a day can we be able to fill a plane? And, would it be more practical to get the people to Puerto Rico? Everybody go to Puerto Rico and then get them from Puerto Rico, or to make sure that you have good access to Puerto Rico from St. Thomas through ferries.” Share this: Facebook1 Twitter Email Print Copyright 2013 BVI News, Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed. Hide Disclaimer 13 Comments Disclaimer: BVI News and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the comments below or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any public forum. All comments posted on BVINews reflect the views and opinions of the commentators and not that of the management and staff. Click here for our full comment/user policy/ agreement. E. Leonard September 7, 2013 Like or Dislike: 0 0 It takes a village to raise a child is a revered African proverb. Similarly, it will take the contributions of Boomer, Gen X, Gen Y (Millennial), Gen Z, along with follow on generations to build the country and build an economy. As such all stakeholders should be allowed and encouraged to comment on all national programmes and projects. Sometimes it is worthwhile for people that may be too close to a project to step back and let others who are farther away to weigh in and give it a full airing(vetting). Moreover, Sowande’s view on direct flights needing additional debate has merit. Direct continental flights to and from TBL would be highly convenient for locals and visitors, as well as providing a boost to tourism, a prime means of foreign exchange earnings. However, direct continental flights becoming a reality will be a function of airline economics, especially passenger load factor. The airline business as noted by another blogger (NPolitico) is capital-intensive and operates on razor-thin profit margin. Passenger load factor, breakeven load factor and available seat miles are key factors that will drive whether direct flights happen. Assuming and extended runway (air side) and modern land side facilities, airlines will not start or continue a route if it is not profitable. Passenger loading has to cover the operational cost of a flight; at a minimum, passenger loading must cover the breakeven cost. Further, it needs to cover more than the breakeven cost; airlines require a minimum rate of return on their investment. The bottom line is that seats have to be covered with butts. The BVI has finite financial resources. As such, it must invest to meet its needs by attaining maximum benefit at the lowest cost. And if further debate can impact and improve air service at a lower cost, why not extend the debate? Reply to this comment BuzzBvi September 6, 2013 Like or Dislike: 0 0 Finally understanding. Well done. But you are missing the Dr. P. master card that this is a sovereignty issue. ?? Reply to this comment Anonymous September 6, 2013 Like or Dislike: 1 0 .. Reply to this comment NPolitico September 6, 2013 Like or Dislike: 4 1 Direct flights to Miami, London, Paris, New York, Rio, Atlanta, Beijing, Toronto, Mexico City or Buenos Aires will be a welcome convenience for both residents and visitors. But they will only start and be sustained if the load factor supports it. The airline business is capital intensive with razor thin profit and are bullish on operating with at break even load factors. Direct flights will be driven by visitors, for the local population is too small. The bottom line is if available seat miles are not used up to a set profitable level they are not flying. Sowande is right in that more research and analysis is needed before ploughing ahead on a major extension that may be underutilized. Reply to this comment ooooo September 6, 2013 Like or Dislike: 2 0 mayson dont be afraid of the “cant do no wrong” NDP, just do your do and ignore them like i do Reply to this comment The Captain September 6, 2013 Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 10 1 What the hell is wrong with you people, what the man has said has much meret. Our problem is, we got caught up in this pie in the sky Airport project and all of its trimmings not stopping to count the cost or whether it was practical or feasible. Like it or not, reality catches up with us sooner or later. At the end of the day, economics will decide what happens from here on in. Reply to this comment D pilot September 6, 2013 Like or Dislike: 1 3 directs flights from Miami?? to land where? this runway is to short Reply to this comment Embolden September 6, 2013 Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 5 0 Why are we so harsh on this young son of our soil? How are we to cultivate the young minds if we seek to shut down their questions/challenges to current issues? Could we please, instead of shooting down the young man’s perspectives, offer our clearly more sage thinking and counteract the matters with which we disagree with some constructive alternatives. Can we stop working so hard at stifling our young minds and help build them instead. Stop killing our young minds – we need them into our tomorrows. He is seeking to do something; what are you, oh wise ones, doing for your country! Reply to this comment Macavelli September 6, 2013 Hot debate. What do you think? 11 12 Natalio has not done one single thing in his life yet he spouts his mouth every week on every ill in the country. Dude, we are tired of you. Most times people who talk about everything like this can’t do anything and I think he is just calling down the government because he wants us to elect him next time. I won’t take a chance like that at all. What does he bring to table except a big, radical mouth that he can’t control? He wants to legalize marijuana, he wants to be an advocate for black rights but he don’t want citizenship for children born in the country to foreign parents. You sound confused young man. Take a break from the radio you’re becoming a nuisance like most of the others. Reply to this comment Bean Counter September 6, 2013 Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 5 1 Natalio makes sense! The primary factor is the cost effectiveness of airfare between the US and the BVI vs the US mainland and STT. Flights from Miami, FL to the BVI are classified as international flights. Hence, the cost is considerably more. Conversely, flights from Miami, FL to STT are domestic flights. Hence, the cost is considerably less. Then the next issue becomes, is there a consistent demand along this route. While Miami, FL is a major hub for the Caribbean, there are other major hubs to the Virgin Islands such as NY, Boston, ATL, etc. that rarely if ever go through Miami. So, I agree with Natalio that this issue must be thoroughly vetted. Reply to this comment Albion September 6, 2013 Hot debate. What do you think? 5 6 I tend to agree. Why do we have to listen to someone’s opinion just because they call themselves a “social commentator”? Reply to this comment Shut up already September 6, 2013 Hot debate. What do you think? 6 9 I am tired of hearing Sowande now. What is you claim to fame Mr. Wheatley? What have you done to make us have confidence in you to run our country? Go and try to be better at your job and stop trying to play like you have all the answers for the problems in the country. It’s becoming tiring now. Reply to this comment Whatever.... September 6, 2013 Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 11 1 Okay, so he doesn’t have a “claim to fame”. Big deal! He’s right about this. All the ones with a “claim to fame” obviously haven’t bothered to think this out as he has. Or have they? Reply to this comment
Posted on: Sat, 07 Sep 2013 22:26:46 +0000