CARIBAVIA 2025 Nevis plans new FBO, Embraer 175 regional services By Alison Chambers.

“The possibilities to connect here are endless,” declared the Honourable Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis and Minister of Tourism, Trade, and Consumer Affairs, Nevis Island Administration (NIA), in an impassioned address for enhanced regional airlift and connectivity in the Caribbean.

He was at CARIBAVIA - taking a rather circuitous route to get there - to introduce expansion plans at Vance W. Amory International Airport. The airport is only 15 minutes away (by air) from St Barth, but the Islands aren’t connected.

The Honourable Alexis Jeffers, Special Advisor to the Premier on Investment Matters outlined the expansion. At its heart are plans to create a new private jet facility (FBO) with the ability to accommodate up to 50 business jets. To accomplish that - and attract bigger aircraft - it would expand the 4,000ft runway to 6,700ft and expand the parking apron. Other infrastructure additions include provision for a new fuel farm, new fire equipment, upgrading the control tower and a new (external) cargo facility (currently housed inside the terminal).

Nevis Airport has not seen any serious investment since 2003, we heard. It is incumbent on us to keep up with peer airports and establish direct air links, rather than having to travel via point B or C to get to A, explained Alexis Jeffers. Currently, international visitors have to connect via St Kitts, or through Puerto Rico, St Maarten or Antigua.

Improving ease of access and fostering relationships with other Caribbean Islands is of prime interest to boost tourism, trade and investment and create jobs, he said.

More regional connectivity

The goal is also to attract regional airline operators that fly Embraer 175 aircraft, enabling more US arrivals - New York, Washington DC and also Miami are of primary interest.

Ambitiously, the team would like to have the work near completion in two years. They recently started talking with potential FBO partners.

Jeffers pointed to Nevis’ 18-hole championship golf course at (Four Seasons Nevis with its lush tropical landscapes and views of Nevis Peak and the Caribbean sea) - a big draw for residents and tourists coming in from St Barth and St Maarten and internationally. Regulations and challenges need to be worked through to get people moving freely, he insisted, but it is a major headache currently. We’d love to capitalise on the beauty of both Islands.

This project represents a bold step forward for Nevis to become a more accessible and competitive destination in the region. Accessibility, Availability, Affordability is the goal - with sustainability also high on the agenda, we heard.

Nevis was the birthplace of America’s founding father Alexander Hamilton. It has long historic ties with the Britain’s Royal Family and King Charles III is now hereditary monarch of Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis. Mark Brantley obtained a (Bachelor of Civil Law) Degree at Oxford University, UK. Before entering politics he was an attorney.

Inviting St Barth’s President of the Territorial Council Xavier Ledee to visit, Mark Brantley said; “You speak French, we speak English. We want to come here, freely, enjoy nice French food and enjoy your hospitality. We both have very special Islands. Extending the invitation to CARIBAVIA delegates he added - please come and visit us. It may not, fingers crossed, be too long.

Nevis set to benefit with extensive airport expansion.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 7th August 2025 | Issue #807