About the Project
About the Project
The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) is a marquee Caribbean destination showcasing sun-soaked beaches, breathtaking vistas, and a vibrant and diverse culture. Through this project, the Territory’s two airports will better accommodate the ever-increasing numbers of passengers and flights and enable the USVI to remain competitive in the global market, create a better experience for travelers, and strengthen its vital tourism industry.
The Process
The redevelopments of the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (HERA) in St. Croix and the Cyril E. King Airport (CEKA) in St. Thomas are being delivered through a collaborative Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Maintain (DBFOM) Public-Private Partnership (P3) model that will bring state-of-the-art amenities, private investment, improved service levels, increased capacity, efficient airport operations and long-term maintenance plans while enhancing resiliency.
These new facilities will stimulate economic growth in the Territory while providing travelers with a safe, modern, comfortable, and pleasant experience. Improvements to the airports will include upgrading the baggage systems, adding jet bridges, renovating and expanding existing terminal buildings, and adding additional seating, concession areas, and other amenities.
In March of 2024, the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) Board selected our consortium following a competitive bidding process to join with the Port Authority in a P3 to redevelop the USVI’s airport terminals. The project is currently in a transition phase that involves substantial work between SkyCity and VIPA including design, construction planning and permitting, employee transition, airline engagement, financial and commercial business activities, operations and maintenance, legal and project documentation, regulatory matters, and stakeholder communications and outreach. This process will facilitate the development of design plans that best reflect the unique needs of both airports.
