NIA CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS (July 02, 2026) – The Nevis Island Administration (NIA) officially broke ground on the multi-million-dollar expansion and enhancement project for the Vance W. Amory International Airport (VAIA) at Newcastle, St. James, on Wednesday, July 01, launching a transformative initiative with the potential to reshape the island’s tourism and economic landscape for generations to come. Speaking at the ceremony held on the outskirts of the airport, Premier of Nevis, the Honourable Mark Brantley, Minister of Tourism, Finance, and Economic Planning, described the groundbreaking as a historic milestone in Nevis’ development that will benefit both present and future generations. “I want our people to consider that we are gathered here together at a point where we are making history at this groundbreaking for purposes of an investment which we feel will propel Nevis for the next generation. “We are here because this government is committed to moving this island to the next level… We are doing what we are doing for those who are coming; the next generation. We all understand that having an advanced Vance W. Amory International Airport is good for Nevis and good for the Federation.” Premier Brantley noted that the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM)-led Nevis Island Administration had worked diligently for more than a decade to bring the transformative project to fruition. He explained that the expansion is expected to increase air traffic to the island, strengthen tourism, stimulate economic activity and create opportunities for Nevisians at every stage of the project. During construction, the development is expected to generate employment for local contractors, skilled tradesmen, labourers and service providers, while creating demand for locally supplied goods and services. Once operational, the expanded airport will support additional permanent jobs in airport operations, security, customs and immigration, ground handling, maintenance and other support services. Increased airlift and visitor arrivals are also expected to create new opportunities for entrepreneurs and existing businesses in areas such as transportation, accommodation, tours, restaurants, retail and other tourism-related services, further strengthening the island’s economy. “Sometimes we have to be patient and appreciate that projects take time. This effort has been a relentless, ongoing effort, but to get to where we are today, we have had to navigate the technical and practical issues that are involved… that takes time. “We had to design and redesign. We had to go back to the drawing board, and when we thought we had a plan, we had to get financing for that. I want you to understand the difficult nights and the long days of trying to navigate the financial situation, the politics, trying to navigate how Nevis could sustain a project such as this… I can assure you it is not an easy task… in order to bring a project such as this to fruition and to reality for the benefit of the people of Nevis.” Premier Brantley expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for guaranteeing the NIA’s EC$20 million loan from the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank (SKNANB), the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for its US$20 million concessional loan, and businessman Patrick Drahi for providing US$25 million in investment capital toward the project. Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Edward Ling-Wen Tao, reaffirmed Taiwan’s longstanding partnership with Nevis and its commitment to supporting the island’s sustainable development. “On behalf of the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I would like to extend sincere congratulations to the Government and people of Nevis… Looking ahead, I am confident that Taiwan will continue to play a constructive role in the Airport Expansion Project and other meaningful initiatives, further reinforcing the unbreakable bond between Taiwan and Nevis. “May the Vance W. Amory International Airport Expansion Project proceed smoothly, reach a successful completion, and bring prosperity and opportunities to the wonderful people of Nevis.” Also delivering remarks at the ceremony were Project Coordinator the Honourable Alexis Jeffers, Advisor to the Premier on Investments; Project Manager Michael Perkins; General Manager of the Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority (NASPA), Oral Brandy; Contractor Seamus Kelly of Kelly Construction; Lead Engineer Leonardo Perez of Perez Engineering Construction and Consulting Services Ltd.; Chief Executive Officer of the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank, Anthony Galloway; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, John Hanley; and Community Representative Janesha Daniel. The project, which the contractor said is expected to be completed within 18 months, will include a 2,000-foot extension of the airport’s runway, bringing its total length to 6,000 feet. It will also provide for the construction of a fuel farm, a new fire hall, an expanded and modernized terminal building, new Customs Hall, and an enlarged parking apron capable of accommodating up to 50 executive jets.