Oct. 25, 2006 — In an attempt to lure new airlines to the territory or convince those already operating in the Virgin Islands to develop new routes or add flights, the V.I. Port Authority (VIPA) announced Tuesday that it will waive its landing fees for 90 days.
"It give the airlines an opportunity to test the waters in the Virgin Islands," VIPA spokesman Marc Stridiron said Wednesday.
He said that the goal is to give the airlines a chance to determine if the flights are profitable, in the hopes that they'll fly to the territory year-round.
The incentive applies to both the territory's airports — Cyril E. King on St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen on St. Croix.
Stridiron said landing fees cost about $2.50 per 1,000 pounds of aircraft weight. He said landing fees typically run $500 to $562 for the Boeing 757 aircraft used by American Airlines and US Airways. He said they weigh 200,000 to 225,000 pounds.
The ATR 72 aircraft flown by American Eagle weigh 47,000 pounds, which means they pay $117.50 to land at the territory's airports.
He said that as far as he knows, no airlines have taken the Port Authority up on its offer. "But we put it out to all the current carriers and those that don't fly here," he said.
The waiver runs from Dec. 1 to March 31, 2007.
New routes are considered routes not served by the airline during the same time period in the previous year.
Stridiron said the waiver was introduced at the Oct. 12 VIPA board meeting by board member and Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richards.
Tourism Department Marketing Director Steve Bornn said Wednesday that should airlines take the Port Authority up on its offer, it will improve accessibility to the territory.
"It opens up a wider market," he said, adding that it will give the territory more seats to sell and promote, which will bring more people.
Bornn said that in addition to more airplane arrivals, the territory, particularly St. Croix, needs more hotel rooms.
"There's a shortage of hotel rooms on St. Croix — big time," he said.
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