The single runway at the only airport in St. Thomas is scheduled for infrastructure improvements. The Virgin Islands Port Authority has announced that the runway at Cyril E. King Airport will be closed nightly from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting Dec. 1, and continuing through 2026, as the Authority undertakes two runway projects.
On Dec. 1, VIPA will commence a pavement boring project on the runway. This project involves conducting geotechnical investigations to enhance the condition, operability, and safety of the 7,002-foot runway. The work will be performed at night and will not disrupt normal airport operations.
Following the pavement boring project, VIPA plans to begin resurfacing the runway in January 2026. The $27 million project has been awarded to Island Roads Corporation and is primarily funded by a federal grant from the FAA and Passenger Facility Charges (PFC). VIPA aims to significantly reduce the likelihood of unexpected pavement failures, improve the reliability of the runway, and ensure the safety and continuity of aviation services for travelers. The last major rehabilitation of the runway took place in 2012. VIPA has been planning this project in collaboration with airport users, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other stakeholders since 2018.
While VIPA does not expect any significant disruptions to air travel in St. Thomas, the agency apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the nightly closures as it works to complete these crucial improvements to the runway infrastructure. VIPA will continue to update the public about the specific duration of the nightly closures as the projects progress.
