UK 'chokehold' on airport expansion
Deputy Premier Julian Fraser says the United Kingdom’s oversight and constitutional limits are hampering the long-delayed expansion of Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport. Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley confirmed the project has faced about 16 years of approvals, studies and repeated UK requests for further information despite a submitted business case.
Deputy Premier Julian Fraser has accused the United Kingdom of maintaining a “chokehold” over the Virgin Islands’ plans to extend the runway at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, linking long-standing UK oversight to delays in a project many residents see as crucial for tourism and economic growth.
Fraser made the remarks on May 26 during a public engagement session in Virgin Gorda on proposed constitutional changes, where government officials and the constitutional negotiating team met with residents. He said the territory continues to face extensive UK conditions, requirements and requests even as the BVI would be expected to fund the work itself. "Now, right now, we are trying to expand or extend the runway at the airport.
And in order to do that, the British government has a chokehold on us — asking for this, and asking for that and asking for the other," Fraser said. "And nowhere in all that discussion are they talking about how much money they’re going to give us. They’re not going to give us a thin dime to expand the runway.
But at the same time, we’re suffering from all these restrictions, guidelines, procedures." Fraser tied the airport impasse to the broader constitutional relationship with the UK, arguing that territories with more advanced constitutions, such as Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, face fewer restrictions and enjoy greater decision-making autonomy.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley told the meeting the BVI has sought approval for the runway expansion for roughly 16 years, and that the territory has spent "millions and millions of dollars on studies." Wheatley noted a business case prepared by a reputable firm has been submitted but that UK officials continue to request additional information and studies.
The airport project has long been promoted as a way to allow larger aircraft, improve direct access for visitors and boost tourism. Successive administrations have cited financing concerns, business-case approvals and UK oversight tied to the territory’s borrowing framework as key factors delaying progress.
The current government says it intends to pursue a phased approach to permit larger American Airlines aircraft to operate safely into the territory. At the Virgin Gorda session Fraser urged residents to back constitutional reform, saying greater political advancement would strengthen local authority over matters such as airport development.
The exchange highlighted the intersection of constitutional negotiations, local development priorities and continued UK involvement in major infrastructure decisions affecting the BVI.
Primary source: BVI News