Beef Island, Virgin Islands - Industrial action taken by fire service officers attached to the T.B. Lettsome International Airport forced closure of the airport for most of the afternoon yesterday, 17 July 2023. Inbound and outbound flights were brought to an immediate halt. American Airlines’ incoming flight had to be diverted to San Juan, Puerto Rico, as well as Silver Airlines. An Inter Caribbean flight that was loaded and ready to take off, was made to offload and a private flight rerouted to St. Thomas, USVI. 

By mid afternoon, both Virgin Gorda and Anegada’s airports were closed and their fire officers repositioned at the TB Lettsome Airport so that services could resume. 

It is understood that the fire officers came to work as usual, however, unhappy with where conversations were going in relation to their holiday pay, they all fell sick at the same time and walked out. 

Although the Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Kye Rymer denies it, this is the second time staff at the TB Lettsome International Airport have resorted to industrial action in the past two months. 

On 26 May, operations at the TB Lettsome International Airport were again brought to an abrupt halt and closure. Unconfirmed reports were that the staff in the Control Tower had taken industrial action over working conditions and increment payment. 

While the airport has reopened late yesterday evening, based on information from Staff at the airport, the conditions remain very volatile.

Both Virgin Gorda and Anegada’s airports remain temporarily closed.