The United States (US) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed to fine the US Virgin Islands Port Authority for alleged maintenance lapses at St. Thomas Cyril E. King International Airport (STT).
The FAA said it conducted STT inspections in 2021 and 2022, finding numerous regulations breaches, which include “cracked runway and taxiway pavement; an improperly graded and drained runway safety area; obstructions in the runway safety area; faded, missing or incorrect runway and taxiway markings”.
Furthermore, STT had inaccurate signs, as well as damaged and/or missing runway edge lights. In addition, the local authority failed to properly and distribute fuel at the airport and failed to issuea Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) to inform operators and flight crews about runway issues at the airports.
As such, the FAA proposed a $477,000 civil penalty against the authority. It has given the US Virgin Islands Port Authority 30 days from September 19, 2023, to respond to the FAA.
In addition to STT, the US Virgin Islands also has Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX), located on Saint Croix.
According to flightradar24.com data, both islands have direct connections to the mainland US, with American Airlines serving STT and STX from Miami International Airport (MIA) and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines flies to the two island airports from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
However, more airlines fly directly between STT and US, including Spirit Airlines flight from Orlando International Airport (MCO), Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), and United Airlines connection from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
