Hotel & Tourism Association Urges VIPA to Delay SkyCity Airport P3, Citing $1.2B Cost and Risk to Airlift

ST. THOMAS — The St. Thomas-St. John Hotel & Tourism Association is urging the V.I. Port Authority to delay a final commitment to the SkyCity airport redevelopment agreement, saying the authority should first independently compare the proposal — estimated at roughly $1.2 billion in total costs — with a lower-cost $390 million alternative presented by airline representatives and assess whether higher airport costs could jeopardize air service. The association’s Board of Directors adopted the position after meeting with representatives from both SkyCity and the Airlines Airport Affairs Committee, or AAAC, to review the competing approaches to the proposed public-private partnership. The HTA submitted its position Aug. 27 to VIPA Board Chairman Willard John, Interim Executive Director Ava Penn, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., the 36th Legislature and Tourism Commissioner Jennifer Matarangas-King. “The goal should not be the least expensive airports, nor should it be the most ambitious airports ...