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by pltm
(PLTM) - In the midst of an apparent feud between BVI Airways and the NDP led Government of the British Virgin Islands, former Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Julian Fraser has stepped out to defend the Government’s investment in the airline, that is yet to take flight.
Hon. Fraser’s comments are in response to those of the community, that chastise the Government and their decision to invest over $7M in the airline.
In a post to his personal Facebook page on July 20, Hon. Fraser said that the Government seems to be the only one who understands the importance of a national airline, adding that the community doesn’t seem to.
“When taken into context the reasons for setting up this airline, rivalries between OT’s [Overseas Territories] must come into play, along with national pride and of course, the genuine need to. Don’t be fooled, the BVI is in direct competition with Bermuda, Cayman Islands and to a lesser extent, Turks and Caicos. However, the main target is Cayman Islands...because they are easiest to emulate and they work best as a model,” Hon. Fraser stated on social media.
He added, “Cayman has an international airport, a national airline and an economy three times that of ours. It is not rocket science what’s missing in the BVI. It is also common sense what we need to do. The NDP gets it, you the people don’t seem to.”
Hon. Fraser noted that he always had a theory on the Government’s motive behind their $7.2M investment in the establishment of BVI Airways, but noted that he chose to be silent on the matter. His position has since changed.
NDP’s Grand Plan
In his rant, Hon. Fraser noted that the current devastation being experienced by BVI Airways, was all a part of the Government’s plan, in pushing for a national airline.
Earlier this week, the airline disclosed that they encountered major financial problems and was forced to lay off its entire flight crew, even before the first flight takes off.
The airline went on to blame the BVI Government for the delay and the repercussions being encountered, stating that they [BVI Airways] have the planes, the organization and have secured all the difficult regulatory approvals.
“The grand plan of this Government was never to be a non player in this BVI Airways scenario. I was never shocked nor concerned about the $7.2M given to the folks at BVI Airways, because every Caribbean country forks up millions to airlines just to fly to their destination each year as revenue guarantees, but that is not where this Government is heading.”
Given the dynamics of BVI Airways, Hon. Fraser noted that the Government expected the calamity.
“Some facts about the aircraft type that BVI Airways features, the Avro RJ 100 is an aircraft powered by four turbofan engines and seats approximately 100 passengers. It is not an efficient aircraft by any stretch with its four engines, but that is all we are capable of with our current runway. It is important to note, that the queen of the skies, the Boeing 747 has all but disappeared because of its four engines and associated inefficiencies, and replaced by the more efficient two engine Boeing 777; the four engine A380 is not the hit it was hyped to be, and will not be around much longer.”
He said, “Efficiency here is the key. My point, no investor, especially private, can sustain an operation like BVI Airways in its current form. The NDP administration fully anticipates, and probably with the knowledge of the airline executives, that the airline will collapse under these circumstances.”
Hon. Fraser noted that this is the opportune time for the Government to push for a national airline without receiving much backlash from the community.
“Here’s NDP’s chance to get one [national airline]. They can have it without the public debate, having to justify its feasibility, affordability or national benefit. This is the NDP's grand plan.”
