BVI Airways Update

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BVI AIRWAYS APPROVED FOR NONSTOP FLIGHTS FROM NEW YORK/JFK TO THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS.

Flights from Orlando also under consideration.

Road Town, Tortola – BVI Airways is pleased to announce that the United States Department of Transportation has granted the airline economic authority to operate nonstop flights from New York City to the British Virgin Islands. Flight time from JFK airport to EIS/Tortola would be approximately 3:45, putting travel time on a par with flights to San Juan, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, and just slightly longer than the Bahamas. Until now, travelers to the BVI had to fly to San Juan and then connect to smaller, propeller-driven aircraft for the final leg to Tortola, or fly to St. Thomas and then transfer to a ferry over to the BVI. BVIA’s convenient nonstop flights from NY would dramatically reduce the travel time by a minimum of 40%.

The airline is now evaluating when it will begin scheduled flights out of JFK. Additionally, the carrier has received authority to operate nonstop flights to Orlando, Florida. Jerry Willoughby, President and CEO of BVI Airways stated, “We look forward to the opportunity to bring more guests to the BVI from this major international gateway to discover this vacation paradise. Additionally, connecting the financial capital of the world directly with the BVI will offer tremendous benefits to the professional and financial communities at both ends of the flights.”

The airline is also expecting to formally announce in the coming days the commencement of BVIA’s initial flight from Miami to Tortola – the first regularly scheduled nonstop flights from the U.S. to the BVI in history.

Those interested in updates on the latest developments can sign up for BVIA’s email alerts at www.gobvi.com or follow BVI Airways on Facebook.







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Looking forward to another flight option from the sunshine state.

This will be a great option from JFK!!! Can't wait!

New York? Can the plane(s) they have operate from NY nonstop?

Yep. Their range should be around 1,800 NM. I calculate the distance JFK to EIS as 1,624. Its close but they can make it.

Close is too close <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Yesss! Just hope that they start flying soon

Great news if they can do this but still have my doubts re economics/load factors/operating costs

That observation gave me an instant anxiety attack!

anyone know what type of aircraft and how many days a week?

I have a Pilot friend from Jamaica. Now flying Mid East. I hope he goes for this, I will forward the link. I will fly to BVI 2 times a year instead of once every 2 years. Now it may be a problem for my wife...nervous flyer. But push come to shove....See you in the BVI more often.


<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />

Why does this news alone mean you can fly more often? We have no idea on the costs yet, do we?

Now they need to train immigration to move faster and be a little more pleasant. Took them an hour to move less than 30 people through last Saturday with 3 agents.

The aircraft can't make it from EIS to JFK. It will have to stop for gas. Here is a good site for performance data on the aircraft. It's going to be Marginal for Miami anytime a alternate is required. It won't make it to MIA if the runway at EIS is wet.

http://www.angelwingsva.com/lib/DOWNLOAD/pdf/RJ_Tech_data_at_a_glance__April_2004.pdf

If the powers that be are reading this....

There is zero need for immigration when passengers are arriving via airlines. Send a delegation to Denmark and watch how visitors are welcome on arrival via jet. Computers run the manifest long before the aircraft lands and trained canines give the luggage a quick sniff out of sight of the passengers.

Unless you are on some legal warrant list or watch list... you walk straight from the jetway to your bag and leave without delay. Security is simply there on the side smiling and saying welcome for 99% or more of the visitors.

Daily direct jet access from the NYC area is a must for the BVI hospitality and property business.

The Avro RJ100 cannot do a non=stop from JFK-EIS Maybe they are eying a different plane for that route like the MD-80 series.

George
Why does a wet runway make a difference in the performance of the plane.?

If the flight plan backs the speed down to 389kt the range can get past 1,600 miles. The flight time promised by BVI is 3hours 45 minutes JFK to EIS. That would translate to a flight speed average of +/-425....

Sorry, since George is a pilot, I think I will take his word over yours on this one..

If you can fly into Virgin Gorda this will be a piece of cake. Why no one made this work before is beyond me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7-B5zaOTZQ

Time to take off






<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

To add a little more detail to the partial numbers we have. The aircraft specs referenced above are for hulls configured to transport "112 pax @ 95 kg". The BVI planes are only set up to carry 86 passengers. Less weight or cargo the further the plane can fly, slow the cruise speed and the plane gains range. Add the supplemental fuel tankage these planes can sport... The range can be stretched to 2,000 miles. The NYC to Tortola is closer to 1,600 miles with takeoff and landing at favorable sea level. Yes, there could be limits on days where the EIS runway is wet or "contaminated". Orlando is also an approved leg. They can always get fuel there on that long runway.

The BVI would be better served if they paid one of the US majors to serve Tortola directly at least once a day.

Again, regardless of what you say, I will accept what George says, versus what you say, with regard to anything in this area.

Believe or disbelieve... but these words are directly from the technical document linked above....

"This revenue earning capability, with high standards of
performance, enables both niche and prime routes to be served.
Longer routes, up to 3,000km, requiring less than 100 seats are
regularly operated with full multi-class service by the Avro RJ."

It does not matter what we think at the end of the day. The FAA, other regulators, and the insurance underwriters will be making the real call here.

There is a lot that goes into determining the maximum takeoff weight for a aircraft. To keep it simple there are 3 numbers. Max structural weight limit, runway weight limit and climb performance weight limit. Leaving EIS the critical number will almost certainly be the runway limit because of the very short runway.
That limit is based on the maximum weight the aircraft can accelerate to and either reject the takeoff or continue and get safely airborne with a engine failure. If the runway is wet it requires more stopping distance if the takeoff is rejected. On a 4600 foot runway you would have to reduce the takeoff weight substantially to be legal.

You completely overlook the fact that the aircraft can't depart from a 4600 foot runway at maximum weight. You also overlook that you will have headwinds on that route. There is data posted on the link I provided showing range verses payload. Keep mind that data assumes a long enough runway for a max structural weight takeoff and no winds. It also does not include real world fuel reserves. It isn't going to make it. Here is a article on another RJ85 operator trying to stretch the range.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/so...crash/95852378/

Can't argue with the old Copy & Paste. If it's on the innywebernet, it's got to be true.

Absolutely correct. (Another pilot).

You were looking at the specs for the RJ100. The BVI purchased RJ85's.

BVI has two 100's at least the first one started at SwissAir:

VP-LOS BVI Airways British Aerospace Avro RJ100 - cn E3282

Test registration G-6-282

Seat configuration C12 Y74 = 86 Seats configured for longer distance range flight. This configuration can travel 2,000 or more miles with the proper flight plan. New York even Boston is within the mission capabilities of this aircraft. Both Boston and NYC are at Sea Level which is a plus.

All those facts aside. Tortola would be better served by simply paying cash to get a US major or two to server the runway each day of the year.

Here is the second hull also of SwissAir origin:

Serial number 3274 LN:274
Type Bae Avro RJ100
First flight date 18/11/1995

Engines 4 x LY LF507-1F

BAe 146 / Avro RJ - MSN 3274 - VP-LWW
Airline BVI Airways



Avro RJ100 VP-LWW being painted in BVI Airways colors at Summerside (BVI Airways)

The second Avro RJ100 for BVI Airways, VP-LWW (msn E3274 ex HB-IXV), has been painted in the airline’s colors at Summerside. her colors differ from those sported by the airline’s first RJ100, VP-LOS (msn E3282), in that the underside is painted dark blue. It is thought that VP-LOS will also be repainted in this scheme. BVI Airways completed the acquisition of VP-LWW from Tronos on 20 December 2016, but she had remained at Summerside being prepared for service. The airline received a revised Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in February, but is still awaiting approval from US authorities to begin flights to Miami.

I thought they were purchasing the RJ85. The RJ100 will be even more weight restricted on the short runway.

Thanks for the picture evidence Stormjib.

To not take a major airline pilot's caution in this venue is as dumb as believing you know more than your physician or my clients know more than I. I would not ride that tube until a couple years of flawless performance. Any airline that has less invested in fleet that's 2 planes more than 20 yrs old than a moderate retirement portfolio and has not flown a single mile is suspect.

I've twice been re routed on major carriers to the Bahamas when Miami was shut down for storms...it was a big pita but not life threatening. I don't want to be in such a situation tuation with a fledgling airline

Will - I semi-agree
Keeping in mind that those airships are getting a good going-over today. They should be good for a week, a month.. or whatever (though - I wouldn't want to be on the maiden flight, two, or three)

But, after flying for 2 yrs - I'd be asking - Who's been responsible for maintaining them (and where)?

There are many real reasons to not use a small airline with a small fleet. Recovery from even a single canceled flight can be a nightmare for those holding tickets with a schedule to keep.

In this case aircraft maintenance will be overseen by the US regulators, the British regulators, the insurance underwriters, and likely a bank holding a loan on the hulls.

I would not buy any tickets on this airline that I could not afford to throw away and buy my ticket in or out on a major airline.

Before you pay for any airline tickets you should always check to see what interline agreements the airline has in place and who will take you ticket to get you home in the event your airline cannot fly.

Not to scare people off but airlines in the US have very little supervision from the FAA or anyone else for that matter. The system functions on a self compliance and self reporting basis. The FAA does not have the people or budget to do more than a few spot checks. They rely on the individual airlines to certify they are in compliance and to self report any violations. I have not seen a FAA maintenance inspector checking aircraft in at least 5 years.
On the subject of safety and fuel the range of the aircraft relative to the route flown is not really a safety issue as long as there is no pressure on the crews to try and stretch the range. If you are not going to have the fuel required for a safe operation you divert to a closer field or plan a fuel stop. The published range of a airliner does not however equate to the operating range which can vary dramatically with weather and city pair involved. A 1600 mile published range may be less then 1000 miles in actual operations if you are flying into a high density airport with a forecast for poor weather.
G

https://www.gobvi.com/flights/

We are planning on beginning regularly scheduled flights between Miami International and Beef Island/Lettsome Airport in Tortola in the Fall. At present, we are waiting for the U.K. and U.S. regulators to provide us with the official start date, and the process is on track for our first flight to take place in early fall. Ticket sales should begin 90 days prior to the official first flight date. Updates on the timing will be regularly provided on this website and our Facebook page.

Miami (MIA) to BVI (EIS) Flight Schedule

Departing Arriving
Miami International Airport (MIA) 4pm 6:30pm
Beef Island, Tortola, BVI (EIS) 7:30pm 10pm

Sorry, that schedule is odd. If I understand it correctly, not arriving in Tortola until 6:30 PM and on the return, not arriving in Miami until 10 PM? Weird. Not convenient for tourists at all.

That would mean an overnight in Miami to connect anywhere. One flight a day is very scary as well. I'll stick with American to STT, almost always on time.

TurtleAir. This thing will be belly up in no time.

Absolutely. Requiring an overnight to get anywhere is just stupid.

I don't think their market is tourists - I'm not sure why anyone would want to take any chances with their vacation and flying this airline anytime in the near future would be taking major risks of vacation interruption, frustration..etc. No one wants that on a vacation.

I have to agree that it seems they have no interest in drawing tourists, but I can't see how that schedule is that helpful even to a business person.

people traveling for business generally aren't fond of missing important meetings due to flight delays either.

The one flight/ day seems like the kind of half measure that is predictive of failure.

We live in Florida and wouldn't even drive to Miami to/from Miami at that kind of risk....jetblue to SJU from Tampa and hop over to Beef from there, thanks just the same...

And what does the aircraft do all day?
Nuts

Another update suggests first flights July 22 and a more logical schedule.

http://www.bvibeacon.com/1/index.php/255...-coming-july-22

Schedule still seems weird--arriving in Miami at 9:30, which means it leaves at like 7:00? And then not leaving to come back until 4:30? I guess more logical for a business traveler but in general, still weird.

Except that it appears to be weekends only

Oh, ok. Stupid scheduling..

If the flight MIA-EIS arrives at 9:30 am and EIS-MIA departs at 4:30pm . I'm there all the way that would be perfect, then again I live in SE Florida so MIA is 40 miles from my house.

I love getting into the BVI early and leaving later, its seems currently all flights get in late afternoon.

But I'll wait to see the "official", "you can book this flight" schedule.

..except that the schedule is the exact opposite--arriving in MIAMI at 9:30 AM.

You are correct (I misread the article), I agree very stupid schedule wouldn't even consider it. let see .... get to EIS 2 hours before flight (5:00 am) so get up at 3am, pack, grab taxi. No thanks

2 hours early at EIS is a little much,

So true...we were there about an hour at most before departure earlier this month - no issues whatsoever.

I'm betting the article has typical typo errors.
However can't BVI airways just put times and costs on their website? That's what scares me the most they seem unable, unwilling, or have no clue what they are doing.

"or have no clue what they are doing. " Ding,ding,ding. We have a winner!!

OK.. I have stayed out of this but will say it once. I am no friend of Branson, Sir Dick, but..he and the BVI Gov are involved in many schemes down here. He is the MAN behind Virgin Atlantic ..owns part of Virgin America..so if the BVI wants its own airline why does the man..who has been given full Belonger status by the way.not jump in and make all this happen..Dont you think Dr Smith and his guys would be talking to Sir Dick..if he does not want to get involved..and get the gobs of PR he loves by doing it..does it not tell us all something??Am I missing something here..Dick..Orlando BVI GOV????

Definitely something I have wondered about.....