FAA proposes $477,000 fine to US Virgin Islands over airport maintenance

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a hefty $477,000 civil penalty against the Virgin Islands Port Authority for poor maintenance of the airfield at Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) on the island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.

The agency says it found numerous violations during airport inspections in 2021 and 2022, including “cracked runway and taxiway pavements.”

Other concerns listed in this week’s announcement include “poorly graded and drained runway safety area; obstructions in the runway safety zone; altered, missing or incorrect runway and taxiway markings; distribute and handle fuel.

Additionally, the FAA contends that the Virgin Islands Port Authority failed to issue a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) informing air carriers of a runway problem at the airport.

The Virgin Islands Port Authority has 30 days to respond to the FAA after receiving the agency’s enforcement letter, the agency said.

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