Skelton-Cline Demands Airport Bid Deadlines
Claude Skelton Cline says a recent American Airlines diversion exposes the urgent need to expand Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport and wants the government to issue clear EOI and RFP timelines. He also urged investor protections, parallel progress on room supply — including the long-delayed Prospect Reef redevelopment — and regular public updates to maintain confidence.
A recent diversion of an American Airlines flight prompted Claude Skelton Cline to renew calls for a firm timetable on expanding Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (TLIA), describing the issue as "a national security issue, not just a tourism challenge." Speaking on the Oct. 7 edition of "Honestly Speaking," Cline urged the government to quickly issue an expression of interest (EOI) and a request for proposals (RFP), explain any delays, and set clear milestones through to contract award.
Cline said the diversion underscored the territory's reliance on a single short runway with limited all-weather capacity. For the BVI — a small, tourism-dependent jurisdiction that also relies on swift medical evacuations and rapid disaster response — predictable airlift is critical. "You gotta build this airport," he said, warning that limited air access can hamper emergency medevacs, slow relief after storms and constrain the tourism economy that supports many local livelihoods.
Beyond runway expansion, Cline connected improved air access to stalled increases in hotel-room supply. He pressed for the long-delayed Prospect Reef redevelopment to move forward in parallel, noting that airlines and investors will expect additional beds if airlift improves. Allowing the airport and room supply projects to progress together, he argued, will help avoid mismatches between capacity and demand.
While supporting new capital investment, Cline warned against what he called "economic colonization" through unchecked foreign direct investment. He urged the government to adopt procurement and contract terms that secure reasonable returns for investors without crowding out local businesses.
Recommended safeguards include transparent concession terms, enforceable performance benchmarks, and contractual targets for local jobs, skills training and procurement from BVI suppliers. To keep public confidence and reassure potential investors, Cline called for regular, public updates on procurement steps, financing and timelines for both the airport and major tourism projects.
He said clear deadlines and reporting would help manage expectations among residents, airlines and developers. As the BVI plans infrastructure improvements, the debate highlights a balancing act between accelerating necessary upgrades and protecting local economic interests — a conversation likely to intensify as procurement and financing decisions move forward.
Primary source: JTV