The planned first-ever nonstop flights between the United States and the British Virgin Islands have taken a major step forward.

BVI Airways has received formal notification by the U.S. Department of Transportation of the grant of economic authority to operate flights into the United States.

The Miami-Tortola flights would significantly reduce travel time to the British Virgin Islands for thousands of passengers.

DOT approval is a major step; BVI Airways says it is presently engaged with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security to secure the remaining required U.S. regulatory approvals before it can operate flights between the U.S. and Tortola.

“Visitors to the BVI – as well as travel agents, resorts and charter companies in the BVI – are tremendously excited about our direct service to this spectacular destination,” said Jerry Willoughby, CEO of BVI Airways. “We are hard at work with the other U.S. regulatory agencies to secure the remaining required approvals. We look forward to beginning ticket sales and starting our first regularly scheduled flights in the near future.”

— Caribbean Journal Staff