Paving and rehabilitation work on the runway at Cyril E King Airport in St Thomas is set to begin on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, as authorities move to upgrade one of the territory’s key aviation hubs.

The project will see the airport’s 7,000-foot runway resurfaced, with crews set to mill the top three inches of the existing asphalt before applying a new three-inch layer.

Electrical upgrades are also planned, including the installation of new LED runway and navigational lighting.

The $27 million project is being carried out by Island Roads Corporation and is largely funded through a federal grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), along with Passenger Facility Charges (PFC).

The Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) said the work is aimed at improving runway reliability, reducing the risk of unexpected pavement failures, and ensuring the continued safety of aviation services for travellers.

The last major rehabilitation of the runway took place in 2012, and officials said planning for the current upgrade has been ongoing since 2018 in collaboration with the FAA, airport users and other stakeholders.

While no major disruptions to air travel in St Thomas are expected, VIPA acknowledged that there may be some inconvenience due to nightly runway closures during the paving phase.

The agency said it will provide regular updates to the public as work progresses.