British Virgin Islands

North America

1Airlines
0Profiled Airports
0With ICAO
0With Callsign

Aviation History

As a British Overseas Territory, the British Virgin Islands has never had a full national flag carrier; instead small regional operators have served the market. Air BVI flew Caribbean and regional routes from 1971 until insolvency in 1993, and today VI Airlink — the only airline registered in the BVI — operates inter-island and regional charters from Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island, having gained rare direct US route access in 2012.

Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport sits on Beef Island, linked to Tortola by the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge.
An Airbus A318 landing in 2019 was reported as the largest aircraft ever to operate at the airport.
1971
Air BVI founded

Air BVI begins connecting the territory to Puerto Rico and other Caribbean destinations.

1993
Air BVI ceases operations

After entering insolvent liquidation in 1991 and continuing to fly for over two years under bankruptcy, Air BVI finally shuts down.

2004
Major airport expansion

A $55 million project delivers a new terminal, extended runway and upgraded facilities at Beef Island airport, the territory's largest capital project to that point.

2012
VI Airlink gains direct US access

VI Airlink becomes the first BVI-registered carrier since 1993 to receive approval for direct scheduled flights to the United States.

2023
American Airlines begins Miami jet service

American Airlines starts regular nonstop jet service from Beef Island to Miami, expanding to daily year-round flights by 2024.

Notable Carriers

VI Airlink · Air BVI (historical) · BVI Airways (historical, short-lived)

Wikipedia, BVI Airport Authority, World Travel Guide

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