The BVI Airports Authority has been elected to serve as an Advisor on the Governing Board of Airports Council International - Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC).

The ACI serves 712 members as of January 2023 and operates in 1925 airports in 171 countries. The council is organised, structured, and governed in a federal manner and includes ACI World and five ACI Regions: Africa, Asia-Pacific and Middle East, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America.

The BVI Airports Authority became a member of the council in 2019, and was recently elected to serve as an Advisor on the Governing Board in elections held during the ACI-LAC Annual Assembly Conference and Exhibition held in Miami from November 5 to 7.

Managing Director Mr. Kurt Menal led the delegation to the conference and restated the Authority’s commitment to being an active aviation player in the region.

Mr. Menal said, “Our two-year term as an advisor will see the Authority actively contributing to the council's mission and vision, particularly focusing on air transport liberalisation in Latin America and the Caribbean and on actively addressing the perennial issue of intra-regional connectivity.”

Mr. Menal also participated in a panel discussion on air transport liberalisation. He said the Authority’s participation on the panel not only underscored its expertise but also demonstrated its dedication to shaping the future of aviation in Latin America and the Caribbean.

He said, “The recent appointment to the Governing Board positions the Authority as a leader in aviation and as an advocate for regional airports, fostering collaboration for enhanced air connectivity and capacity building.” 

Mr. Menal added, “The Governing Board of ACI ensures that policy recommendations and activities represent the collective interests of ACI members and the Authority’s appointment will not only allow the Authority to provide crucial leadership but also act as a strategic link between the Authority and over 700 business partners associated with ACI-LAC.”

This direct access he said is expected to strengthen the ongoing collaboration with the Government of the Virgin Islands, particularly in the ambitious Airport development project.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Theodore Burke applauded the Authority on achieving this significant milestone.

Mr. Burke said, “It is indeed an honour for the Authority to have been elected to champion the cause of smaller airports in the Caribbean as an Advisor on the Governing Board of ACI-LAC. This prestigious appointment not only recognises our commitment to excellence but also provides an unparalleled opportunity for our staff to be exposed to international best practices and development.” 

In addition to being an advisor, the Authority is also represented on several sub-committees of ACI-LAC, including Safety, Environment, Commercial & Economics, General Aviation, and Human Resources. Staff members specialising in these areas represent the Authority, contributing to capacity building and expanding their professional networks.

The Airports Council International represents the collective interests of airports around the world to promote excellence in the aviation industry. They do this by working with governments, regional ACI members, experts, and international organisations like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to develop policies, programs, and best practices that advance airport standards globally.

The BVI Airports Authority continues to look forward to the exciting opportunities and challenges that lie ahead during this two-year advisory term, after which the Authority will ascend to the post of governing member of ACI-LAC. This appointment solidifies our commitment to excellence and innovation in airport management and capacity building.