The FAA has proposed a $477,000 civil penalty against the US Virgin Islands Port Authority for alleged improper airfield maintenance at Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) on the island of St Thomas (pictured).
The agency claims that during airport inspections in 2021 and 2022, the FAA found numerous violations including cracked runway and taxiway pavement; an improperly graded and drained runway safety area; obstructions in the runway safety area; faded, missing or incorrect runway and taxiway markings; inaccurate signs; damaged or missing runway edge lights; and failure to properly store, dispense and handle fuel.
In addition, the Virgin Islands Port Authority failed to issue a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) informing air carriers of a runway issue at the airport, the FAA alleges.
The Virgin Islands Port Authority has 30 days to respond to the FAA after receiving the agency’s enforcement letter.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also proposing to revoke the Airport Operating Certificate for Hickory Regional Airport (HKY) in North Carolina, alleging it failed to comply with the agency’s safety requirements.
An FAA-issued Airport Operating Certificate is required to serve certain commercial air carrier aircraft.
The agency alleges that during inspections between 2021 and 2023, the FAA found the HKY airport operator failed to comply with FAA safety requirements.
These alleged violations include failure to provide sufficient and qualified personnel; maintaining runway pavements; maintaining airfield markings, signs and lighting; handling and storing fuel; training personnel; and mitigating wildlife hazards.
The City of Hickory has 15 days to respond to the FAA.
Airports International has contacted HKY and the US Virgin Islands Port Authority for comment.
Image: Visit USVI
