A long awaited air link could soon become a reality. And it could be a game-changer for British Virgin Islands tourism and you could soon also charter a jet.

The government of the British Virgin Islands has partnered with air carrier BVI Airways on what will be the first-ever direct, nonstop flights between Miami and the British Virgin Islands.

The government is investing $7 million to develop the service with BVI Airways between Miami and Beef Island airport in Tortola.

The direct flights will be operated on an RJ85 regional jet, which will be converted to accommodate 86 passengers.

The flights, which are slated to launch this fall, will take around 2.5 hours each way.

“As a result, we expect consequential infrastructural development in the tourism sector; higher participation of BVI businesses in activity outside of the BVI; and ultimately more employment opportunities for our people,” said BVI Premier Dr Orlando Smith. “The partnership with BVI Airways is meant to fill the immediate need to solve our air access issues and constitutes another investment by my Government in the continued development of the BVI economy and its people.”

The flights are slated to begin with daily service, with an potential expansion to two or three daily flights in the high season.

The flights will also have gourmet meals and first class cabins.

““As a tourism destination, we will for the first time take charge of our future and our collective objective of building a year round destination, tapping new markets, expanding our annual calendar of events and growing events such as the Lobster Fest, doing more in sports tourism, we will have an airline partner for our summer and fall packages, and yes tapping into the BVI Brand in the financial services space to encourage more persons to do business here as well as vacation in the BVI,” said Russell Harrigan, chairman of the BVI Tourist Board. “Additionally, this flight also has the potential to create completely new business opportunities. ”