Sept. 14, 2001 – Virgin Islands airport operations began to approach normalcy by the end of the day Friday, for the first time since Tuesday, when when the federal government halted all civilian air travel in the United States after terrorist attacks on the mainland.
American Airlines flights bound for Miami and San Juan left Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas between 4 and 4:30 p.m. Friday, each about an hour late. Delays are to be expected with new security measures put in place since Tuesday, airline industry officials have warned.
The 172-seat American jet that was grounded at the St. Thomas airport after its affival on Tuesday is now scheduled to depart at 1:25 p.m. Saturday, as the airline has no scheduled Friday service from St. Thomas to New York. The flight had been scheduled to leave at 5 p.m. Thursday but was canceled after all three New York airports were again closed.
At the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix, American's Miami flight departed on time and all other traffic was moving normally, according to an airport source.
Delta Air Lines station manager Bob DeLugo said Delta was back on a regular schedule, with its 3:30 p.m. Atlanta flight departing on time Friday.
The federal government authorized airports around the country to reopen at 11 a.m. Thursday, provided that new federally mandated security measures were approved. The two V.I. facilities were cleared to reopen at 2 p.m. Thursday.
United Airlines and US Airways canceled connecting San Juan service into the Virgin Islands Friday, telling customers to call their 800 numbers for re-booking.
According to airport sources, American Eagle, Cape Air and Air St. Thomas are flying regular schedules. LIAT wasn't flying Friday, and their office wasn't open Friday afternoon. Air Sunshine is expected to resume flights on Sunday or Monday.
Nationwide, industry officials are urging passengers to call the airlines on which they are ticketed or check on the Internet to confirm that their flights are in operation before going to the airport — and to plan on getting there at least two hours before their scheduled departure time. Passengers must have standard tickets issued by the airlines in order to board flights.
