Cabinet Endorses 7,000-ft Runway as Outline Business
Cabinet approved the outline business case for expanding Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on October 1, 2025, and later endorsed extending the runway to 7,000 feet, officials said. The government has engaged KPMG and a local steering committee to progress procurement toward an Expression of Interest and a request for proposals expected in early 2026.
Cabinet has taken a major step toward expanding Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, approving the outline business case on October 1, 2025 and, later in the month, endorsing a runway extension length of 7,000 feet, government statements and local reporting show. Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer announced the October 1 approval of the outline business case, saying the study — prepared by KPMG — was carried out in accordance with the UK Treasury’s Green Book guidelines to ensure transparency, fiscal responsibility and long-term value for the Virgin Islands (BVI News reported).
A local steering committee of finance, aviation, tourism, planning and environmental experts supported the review so the plan aligns with national priorities. On October 30, 2025, Hon Rymer made clear that Cabinet had endorsed a 7,000-foot runway as the most viable option to meet the Territory’s aviation and economic needs. “Following a thorough review of the options presented, Cabinet endorsed a runway extension length of 7,000 feet as the most viable and beneficial option to meet our Territory’s aviation and economic needs,” Rymer said in a statement reported by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO).
He added the decision advances a vision for a modern, competitive and globally connected Virgin Islands. Officials say a longer runway would allow the airport to handle larger, longer-range aircraft and enable direct international flights from key hubs in North America, Latin America and potentially Europe, reducing travel times and increasing convenience for residents and visitors (VINO; BVI News).
The government expects these connections to open new tourism and business markets, stimulate investment in hotels, resorts and marinas, and expand opportunities in logistics, maintenance and other ancillary industries. Beyond tourism and investment, ministers and consultants highlighted local benefits such as job creation during planning, construction and operations, improved aviation safety, better fuel efficiency and greater operational reliability (VINO).
The airport master plan has been updated and accepted to ensure the expansion meets sustainability and wider land-use goals, Rymer told reporters (BVI News). KPMG was first engaged in 2024 after winning a competitive RFP and has been working with the Steering Committee to develop business-case material under Green Book principles, with work scoped toward a full business case (VINO; BVI News).
With the outline business case approved, the next procedural steps are to engage the private sector: the Steering Committee is developing the framework and timeline to issue an Expression of Interest to identify and shortlist qualified commercial partners, followed by a formal Request for Proposals.
Officials expect the RFP process to begin in early 2026, with shortlisting restricted to reputable firms with proven capacity (BVI News; VINO). The government has also engaged the United Kingdom to frame the airport expansion as a development investment likely to deliver long-term economic and social returns rather than a standard borrowing arrangement under financial management protocols, Rymer said.
Residents can expect further details on timelines, procurement safeguards and environmental assessments as the procurement stage approaches. Taken together, ministers describe the runway decision and business-case approvals as strategic moves to boost the BVI’s global connectivity, competitiveness and resilience for future generations.
Primary source: BVI News