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Cyril E. King Airport Temporary Closed Friday After 'Blowout' During Jet Landing Loosens Taxiway Asphalt; Permanent Repairs Made to Pothole

ST. THOMAS — The Cyril E. King Airport was closed temporarily on Friday to repair what the V.I. Port Authority told the Consortium was a "minor pothole" on "Taxiway Delta".  VIPA public relations head Monifa Braithwaite said repairs to the pothole were made around 2:00 p.m. and that the closure did not affect departures, only arrivals. "The airport was reopened for arrivals shortly after 3:00 p.m. and normal operations resumed," she told the Consortium in a statement Sunday night after the publication inquired about the matter. "Permanent repairs to Taxiway Delta were made on Friday night after the last flight." Port Authority Executive Director Carlton Dowe said a landing jet led to a "blowout," an incident he described some asphalt on the runway loosening up, leading to the airport closure for "well over an hour." At about 10:00 p.m. Friday night, permanent repairs were made, however Mr. Dowe said inspection of the runway surface has to continue. He said a recently started $4 mill...