VIPA Announces Public Hearing to Discuss Proposed USVI Aviation Tariff Methodology for Rates and Charges

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 26, 2026

U.S. Virgin Islands — The public is invited to attend a hearing to discuss proposed updates to the Virgin Islands Port Authority’s (VIPA) aviation tariff rates and charges for aeronautical users at Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX). VIPA is required by law to conduct this hearing to inform the public of any changes to its tariffs and to provide interested parties with the opportunity to discuss these changes with VIPA officials (Act 2375, § 505(8)). 

The hearings will be held in person and will be accessible via Zoom and VIPA’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@VirginIslandsPortAuthority. They are scheduled to take place on the following dates:

• St. Croix - Monday, July 27, 2026, at the University of the Virgin Islands Great Hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

  Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/27C5mrBfTu2ESvQmqO13JA
  

• St. Thomas - Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the University of the Virgin Islands 13D Research & Strategy Innovation Center from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

  Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/w_-nr-hJT0WnR7GYSysaPQ
  

• St. John - Thursday, July 30, 2026, at the Julius E. Sprauve School Auditorium from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

  Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/l20Y5hdIT4exLMlZJ9BAWg

The tariff rates that VIPA proposes to update include:

(A) Airfield Tariff – Airline Rate: VIPA’s Board of Governors has authorized the Interim Executive Director to revise the methodology used to determine the tariff rate charged to airfield users at STT and STX to comply with Federal Aviation Administration policy requirements. The proposed methodology will use cost-recovery formulas similar to those utilized at other U.S. airports. Annual costs associated with the airfields will be estimated before the beginning of each fiscal year, along with a forecast for aircraft landings for that year. The total annual airfield costs will then be divided by the forecasted activity to establish a Landing Fee for all passenger, cargo, and private aircraft operators, based on the size of their aircraft. At the end of each year, VIPA will reconcile actual costs and landings against budgets and forecasts, issuing invoices or credits to each aeronautical user based on the final reconciled Landing Fee and their respective activity.

(B) Terminal Tariff – Passenger Airline Rates: VIPA’s Board of Governors has also authorized the Interim Executive Director to update the methodology for determining the terminal tariff rates charged to passenger airlines at STT and STX. These terminal rates apply to specific terminal facilities and related infrastructure that facilitate passenger arrivals and departures. Similar to the airfield rate, the annual terminal costs—including financing and construction of terminal improvements, operations, maintenance, safety, security, and administration—will be estimated before the fiscal year begins, alongside forecasts of passenger arrivals and departures. The total terminal costs will be allocated to passenger airline areas and retail concession areas. Costs attributed to passenger airline areas will be divided by the forecasted passenger activity to establish the terminal rates. Terminal rates will be collected from the passenger airlines using the terminals at STT and STX. After each fiscal year, VIPA will reconcile actual terminal costs and passenger activity against budgets and forecasts and will invoice or credit each airline based on the final reconciled terminal rates and their passenger activity. Retail concession costs will not be charged to airlines; these costs will be attributed to VIPA and funded through rents collected from retail concession operators and other non-airline revenues.

(C) Airfield and Terminal Tariff Rates for Airlines Operating at STT and STX: VIPA will establish updated airfield and terminal tariff rates based on the aforementioned methodologies for airlines operating at STT and STX to become effective November 1, 2026. Detailed rates and related calculations can be reviewed at https://www.viport.com/rates-statistics (attached).

Tariff rates will be updated annually and are an essential part of VIPA’s commitment to improving the operations and standards of STT and STX for the residents of the United States Virgin Islands and the traveling public.

For questions about the upcoming public hearing, please contact the VIPA Public Relations Office at (340) 774-1629 ext. 6640 or via email at info@viport.com.

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Media Contact:

Monifa Brathwaite, Public Information Officer

Office: (340) 714-6640

Email: info@viport.com   Website: www.viport.com