Bryan defends support for BVI air expansion

US Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr has pushed back against criticism of his administration's backing for the British Virgin Islands' push to grow its aviation sector, arguing that the two territories gain when they cooperate rather than compete.

Bryan raised the point while discussing strained relations between the islands, which have been complicated by disputes over fees and rules that affect charter boat operators based in the USVI. He said his team backed the BVI's air ambitions even when others in the USVI opposed the idea.

"This administration, while others were saying we shouldn't support the BVI getting their own flights, we have been the number-one supporter of the British Virgin Islands getting their own flights," Bryan said.

The governor rejected the notion that BVI flights would drain visitors from the USVI. Rather, he contended that new direct routes from the BVI create spare capacity for travellers heading to the USVI. He pointed to rising visitor numbers to the USVI as proof that both islands can expand their tourism sectors at the same time.

Bryan also outlined plans to rebuild a ferry dock at Cyril E. King Airport. Such a facility would let passengers sail from the BVI to the airport, handle check-in and formalities, and board onward flights without leaving the airport complex.

He cautioned both sides against turning the charter fee row into a tit-for-tat battle that could drive up food prices in the BVI or make travel between the islands harder and costlier.

While praising the BVI's charter sector as a model, Bryan acknowledged that the USVI faces obstacles in building something similar. The BVI's geographic advantages, strict environmental rules, limited waters available for sailing, and resistance to large-scale marina projects give it natural edges that the USVI cannot easily match.