Beef Island Airport

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Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport
Code IATA: EIS, ICAO: TUPJ
Territory British Virgin Islands
Island Beef Island
Public
Operator BVIAA
Location 18°26’44"N, 64°32’35"W
Runway(s) 4,642 feet (Asphalt)
Website

Beef Island Airport (IATA: EIS, ICAO: TUPJ), officially named Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport since 2001, after a long-serving local politician who retired in 1999, is the main airport serving the British Virgin Islands. It is built on Beef Island, a small island off the main island, Tortola, to which it is connected by the Queen Elizabeth Bridge.

The airport serves as the gateway to just about all of the islands within the territory, and is also a gateway for inter-Caribbean travelers headed to the nearby U.S. Virgin Islands. Many travellers fly into Beef Island, with the intention of taking a ferry to the other smaller British Virgin Islands.

Overview

The airport underwent a major $55 million renovation in 2004. After dredging was completed, the runway was expanded to allow larger planes to operate into the airfield. This renovation was the largest capital project ever undertaken in the territory at that time. However, the airport currently does not receive any scheduled airline passenger jet service. Recently, Seaborne Airlines began operating Saab 340 turboprop aircraft into the airport.

Some of the highlights of the renovation and expansion project include:

  • A new 46,000 square foot terminal building
  • An enlarged flight apron
  • A new control tower
  • 3,700-foot runway extension
  • New airport road with expanded parking (150 parking stalls)

The airport houses the BVI Outstation of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority.[1]

In 2019, a Titan Airways-operated Airbus A318-100 landed at the airport, which is the largest aircraft ever operated into the airport.

Outside links

References

  1. "BVI Outstation." Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved on 23 December 2012.