'Some of you all, you’ve gone mad'
The controversy over the sudden departure of the British Virgin Islands Airports Authority managing director has deepened after former minister Eileene Parsons Skelton-Cline sharply criticised the BVIAA board and suggested a local replacement, while the departing MD, Kurt A.G. Menal, has publicly said he resigned for his "personal and professional well-being." New statements from Menal on May 27 provide his account that he gave three months' notice and that the board chose to pay him in lieu of notice, a claim that differs from initial reports of an immediate removal. VINO first reported the abrupt resignation on May 7, 2026, and calls for transparency persist as stakeholders seek clarity on contractual, legal and project continuity issues at the authority.
The controversy surrounding the sudden departure of the British Virgin Islands Airports Authority’s managing director has taken a new turn after public comments from both a former minister and the departing executive. VINO first reported on May 7 that the managing director resigned abruptly in early May 2026.
The official’s contract had reportedly been renewed in January 2026 for another four years. VINO’s coverage identified the departing official as Kurt A.G. Menal (earlier coverage and other references have also used the name Andre Menal), and media accounts circulated claims that the director sought to serve a three-month contractual notice period but was allegedly told by a board member to leave effective immediately.
On May 19, former minister Eileene Parsons Skelton-Cline criticised the BVIAA board’s handling of the matter during the radio programme Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780 AM, according to VINO. She told hosts the Ministry of Communications and Works appeared to have been caught off guard and said she believed ministry officials and board leadership “should have seen some of these tea leaves and anticipated” trouble.
Skelton-Cline reserved sharp words for the board—asking rhetorically how leadership could dismiss a CEO overseeing airport rebuilding—and said, as reported by VINO, “Some of you all, you’ve gone mad.” She defended the departing director’s performance, urged the appointment of local talent, noted that Clive A.
Smith is currently acting managing director, and suggested Coy W. Newly reported developments emerged on May 27 when Menal spoke to JTV News and posted a farewell message on LinkedIn. Menal told JTV that he had “made a decision for my personal and professional well-being” and rejected suggestions he was forced out.
JTV reported Menal as saying, “No, I resigned and gave three months’ notice, but the Board exercised its option to pay in lieu of notice.” On LinkedIn he described leaving “after just over four remarkable years” and thanked the Government and staff, calling his time at BVIAA a privilege.
In his public remarks Menal highlighted achievements during his tenure, saying strategic air service initiatives helped increase passenger traffic from about 176,000 in 2022 to 317,676 in 2025—an 80% rise—and pointing to successful engagement that led to non-stop Miami (MIA) service to Terrance B.
Lettsome International Airport (EIS) with American Eagle/Envoy. He also cited capital projects, staff training and regional advocacy roles as points of pride (statements from JTV and Menal’s LinkedIn post). VINO’s reporting has also flagged potential legal and contractual questions following the departure, including public speculation about breach-of-contract claims and concerns over protecting government capital and continuity of ongoing airport projects.
Those issues have heightened worries among private-sector stakeholders and residents about the possible impact on airport upgrades, service reliability and tourism. Observers and stakeholders continue to call on both the BVIAA board and the Ministry of Communications and Works to provide clear, transparent explanations for the managing director’s exit, confirm whether contractual notice periods were respected, and reassure the public that airport programmes will continue without interruption.
The public is awaiting an official statement from the BVIAA or the ministry clarifying the facts and outlining next steps.
Primary source: VINO