“The closure is a result of the British Virgin Islands Airports Authority (BVIAA) not maintaining compliance with all the safety conditions of the aerodrome certificate,” the release stated. “This action was precipitated by the additional risks posed to the flying public by a new building development erected within the airport’s protected areas.”

ASSI’s assistant manager for the Caribbean, James Prideaux, said the agency was unable to comment further at this time.

Airports Authority and other government officials did not respond to calls for further comment but confirmed the closure in a press release sent out Friday. The release stated that the BVIAA is unable to say when the airport will be reopened but stated that officials are taking a “multiagency approach” to bring a “speedy resolution” to the matter.

Passengers with reservations for Virgin Gorda are now being flown to Beef Island and transported across the water by ferry.

Government officials visited the airport and the construction site on Monday to “ascertain the relevance of claims made by the regulator,” according to a separate press release. Officials will be reviewing documents created by the Halcrow Group, which was hired to assist with plans to upgrade the airport, the release stated.

The full article appears in the Feb. 4, 2010 issue.