Following a nearly three-week shortage, Avgas has been restored to Antigua, bringing stability back to flight operations to and from Montserrat.
Both Fly Montserrat and SVG Air are now operating the route as normal.
A joint statement from Governor Sarah Tucker and Premier Joseph E Farrell on 9 August confirmed that the aviation fuel is available again.
“We are pleased to confirm that Avgas is now available in Antigua, with thanks to everyone who worked collectively to resolve the issue and to manage the challenges it presented,” it read.
“Our thanks to the management team at the Antigua airport for their help and commitment to ensure there is a revised process to avoid further shortages of fuel in the future.”
VC Bird International Airport exhausted its supply of Avgas on July 22 resulting in significant complications for both airlines.
Fly Montserrat continued to operate as close to its usual schedule as possible, refuelling with Avgas during regular trips to Nevis and Guadeloupe.
Meanwhile, SVG Air temporarily cancelled its route because the company said it could not make it financially viable.
Now Paul Gravel, managing director of SVG Air, has said that “Avgas is again in stock in Antigua so it’s smooth sailing for now”, adding that the flight schedule is “back to normal”.
Montserrat Focus also reached out to Fly Montserrat for comment and is awaiting a response.
Both Fly Montserrat and SVG Air operate Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander twin-engine light aircraft, which run on Avgas, on the route between Antigua and Montserrat.
The De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter twin-engine turboprop aircraft, which operates on the more readily available jet fuel, is universally popular on short routes.
However, while the aircraft can land at John A Osborne Airport with a full load, the length of the runway means that the plane cannot take off with a full load of passengers, luggage and fuel.
Gravel said this means it is not a financially viable option.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was updated at 11am on 13 August to clarify that Twin Otter aircraft can land in Montserrat with a full load.
