The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Friday proposed a fine of nearly $1.47 million against the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) for alleged safety violations at the airports in St. Thomas and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. VIPA, which describes itself as a semi-autonomous agency that owns and manages Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix, has 30 days after receiving the enforcement letter to respond to the FAA.
FAA said it inspected the airports in late January and early February and found numerous violations at both airports. FAA alleges that VIPA did not have qualified personnel to oversee airport operations, to conduct required daily inspections, or to conduct airport rescue and firefighting (ARFF) operations.
Other allegations include that the airports did not maintain and make available to FAA required records, including Airport Certification Manuals; that VIPA did not meet the ARFF requirements for air carrier fl…
