Cyril E. King Airport Unveils New Parking Facility with Staggered Opening

The Cyril E. King Airport is set to enhance its infrastructure with the staged introduction of its new parking facility next month. The V.I. Port Authority’s Executive Director, Carlton Dowe, shared details during a public session on Thursday, highlighting an initial availability of half the spaces by mid-April and full access by the end of May. Dowe remains hopeful that the completion timeline could be expedited, allowing for earlier full access to the facility.

During the announcement, Dowe conveyed, “Starting April 16, we aim to make 50 percent of the parking lot available. Our goal is to facilitate smoother transitions for passengers and visitors alike.”

He also delineated the parking fees, which include complimentary parking for the initial 15 minutes followed by a tiered pricing model starting at $4 for the first hour and capping at $20 for a full day. For regular users, monthly parking passes are offered at $250.

However, airport employees and tenants will need to wait until the facility is fully operational before they can access it, though they will benefit from reduced rates of $10 daily and $100 monthly.

Addressing safety measures, Dowe assured the enhancement of pedestrian safety through designated crossing areas, emphasizing the importance of cooperation from taxi and car rental services to adhere to these guidelines.

The facility will also retain the existing dedicated taxi lane and recently introduced passenger pickup area, with temporary staff guiding traffic and pedestrian flow until the grand opening.

This development is anticipated to streamline the flow of increasing passenger volumes, thereby elevating the overall visitor experience to the Virgin Islands and bolstering tourism.

Reflecting on the imminent completion, Dowe expressed optimism: “We anticipate a seamless transition. The entire team at the Port Authority is eager to welcome this new chapter.”

In a gesture of homage, the VIPA Governing Board has decided to name the new parking facility after Dale Gregory, the agency’s esteemed former Director of Engineering, in recognition of his contributions.