ROAD TOWN, Tortola, February 27, 2011 - Not only is the Civil Aviation Department no longer operational, but tax payers foot the bill to pay a United Kingdom’s (UK) agency, Air Safety Support International (ASSI), who is owned by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
Last year at the 2010 Standing Finance Committee meeting before the VI Parliament, Member for the Fourth District Honourable Dr. Vincent Scatliffe asked the Ministry of Communications and Works (MCW) whether the MCW funded the entire ASSI operation given they received a contribution of $644,000 of tax payers money.
The Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Julian Fraser RA, stated that the Department of Civil Aviation “no longer existed and that Air Safety Support International which is wholly owned by the UK Civil Aviation Authority had assumed their role.”
Territorial Member Honourable Keith L. Flax noted at the same meeting that the Territory used to control its own civil aviation services for many years, and asked how the decision was made to utilize ASSI’s services. He also wanted clarification as to the length of time that ASSI would be in control.
Hon. Flax also noted that ASSI had phased out Air Sunshine from landing in Virgin Gorda because only half of the length of the runway could be used effectively.
Hon. Fraser stated that the government of the day met ASSI in place. He said that following 911, security issues got progressively stringent which caused the UK Civil Aviation through the Governor to become more involved with the Territory’s civil aviation.
He said that the government of the day agreed to have the duties of the Department of Civil Aviation taken over by ASSI which included the post of Director of Civil Aviation. Fraser further stated that when he was re-elected to office in 2007 he undertook to enter into a MOU with ASSI which required that the Director of Civil Aviation (DCA) under study ASSI so that within two years that officer could be in place.
Minister Fraser further stated, according to the SFC 2010 report, that there was a “dispute with ASSI with regard to the MCW’s candidate for the post of DCA and it caused the arrangement to go on for several years.”
Other factors caused the priority to shift and ASSI maintained the position of DCA as was evident with the recent issues surrounding the Virgin Gorda airport which were not small issues by any means.
The third term legislator, Hon. Fraser further stated that they had not been able to finalize the DCA role from a local standpoint. He said that he was “not aware how long they would be here but that we are stuck with them for a while as they represented the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority.”
Meanwhile, the Member for the Second District Honourable J. Alvin Christopher added that the UK Government had hired ASSI as a consultant to oversee the air safety in the overseas territories and eventually they were given the role to implement the recommendations they made to correct air safety problems.
Hon. Flax added that he had “a lot more to say but that he would not belabour the subject in that forum.”
VINO’ research confirmed that the Virgin Islands is the only Overseas Territory where ASSI has replaced the local Civil Aviation Department.
Many in the Aviation community especially, both local and overseas pilots, told VINO that ASSI “continues not to work in the interest of the VI.”
One pilot who spoke to VINO on condition that his name not be used said, “How ASSI treated the Government and the airlines on the Virgin Gorda Airport closure is a perfect example of the nonsense we are subjected to.”
The pilot who runs an airline and does charters down the Caribbean Islands further stated, “They could have never do that in the UK or any where else……ASSI has forced your government to spend millions of dollars for improvements that most of us in the business for years found not necessary…not even the FAA agreed with them,” he told VINO with a heavy European accent.
ASSI was unavailable for comments and it is unclear if any locals are employed with ASSI or whether ASSI’s workers need work permits to operate in the VI, or if they pay taxes while collecting tax payer’s money to the tune of over six hundred thousand dollars.
VINO was unable to obtain a copy of their agreement with the VI Government or obtain a comment from the Ministry of Communications and Works or the BVI Airports Authority.
Article taken from Virgin Islands News Online - http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com
British Virgin Islands News