The Ministry of Communications and Works extends its congratulations to the British Virgin Islands Airports Authority (BVIAA) on its elevation to Governing Member of Airports Council International – Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC).

The Honourable Kye M. Rymer, Minister for Communications and Works, commended the BVIAA for securing a leadership position that comes at a pivotal time for the Territory’s aviation development.

“This appointment is both an important recognition of the BVIAA’s achievements and a timely strategic opportunity for the Virgin Islands,” said Minister Rymer. “As we advance our runway extension and airport expansion programme, the strengthened regional ties and direct access to global expertise provided through ACI-LAC will help accelerate our efforts to deliver a modern, safe, and internationally compliant airport.”

BVIAA Managing Director Mr. Kurt A. G. Menal represented the Authority at the ACI-LAC Annual Conference in Trinidad, where the appointment was formalised. Minister Rymer commended Mr. Menal’s leadership and the BVIAA team for enhancing the Territory’s visibility and influence within the regional aviation community.

The BVIAA’s new Governing Member status enhances opportunities for technical cooperation, access to international best practices in airport design and operations, and engagement with funding and partnership networks aligned with the Government’s expansion objectives. Insights on air-service liberalisation, sustainability, and airport modernisation gained through ACI-LAC will be directly applied to the Territory’s runway and terminal planning to ensure compliance with international standards and environmental best practices.

Through this membership, the BVIAA will benefit from technical assistance, knowledge sharing, and capacity-building programmes that strengthen local expertise in project management, procurement, and operational readiness. These initiatives will inform the engineering, environmental mitigation, and phased construction sequencing for upcoming runway extensions and terminal upgrades. The expanded access to regional partners and financing mechanisms is also expected to support timely and cost-effective project delivery.

“This milestone, achieved under the stewardship of Mr. Kurt Menal and the BVIAA team, strengthens our capacity to realise a modern, expanded airport that meets global standards and supports sustainable growth for our people,” Minister Rymer added. “The Ministry remains fully committed to working with the BVIAA, regional partners, and stakeholders to ensure steady progress toward our shared vision.”

The Ministry looks forward to continued collaboration with the BVIAA as it assumes its new role on the ACI-LAC Board, advancing the Virgin Islands’ position as a safer, more connected, and more competitive aviation hub within the region.

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The Airports Council International (ACI) represents the collective interests of airports worldwide, with over 712 members operating 1,925 airports across 171 countries. Within this framework, ACI-LAC serves as the regional body for Latin America and the Caribbean, fostering collaboration among airports and promoting standards of safety, efficiency, and innovation.