Vieques Air Link
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Founder | Osvaldo "Val" Gonzalez-Duriex |
| Headquarters | Puerto Rico , Puerto Rico |
Area served | Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands |
| Products | Passenger air transport, cargo, medical evacuation |
Vieques Air Link (VAL, IATA code: V4) is an airline based in Puerto Rico that operates under FAR Part 135 regulations, specializing in VFR flights connecting Vieques and Culebra with the Puerto Rican mainland.
History
Established in 1965 by Osvaldo "Val" Gonzalez-Duriex, VAL initially operated a single small aircraft on the route between Vieques and Humacao. The airline expanded its fleet to include a Piper PA-28 Cherokee, which allowed it to begin serving Isla Verde International Airport. By 1968, the airline had extended its services to include St. Croix in the Virgin Islands.
After Fajardo Airport opened in 1980, VAL quickly incorporated it into its network, boosting the number of flights to San Juan, Humacao, and Culebra during the 1980s. The airline’s fleet was devastated by Hurricane Hugo in 1989; however, VAL rapidly recovered by acquiring seven Britten-Norman Islanders and three Trislanders.
Throughout the 1990s, VAL encountered financial difficulties but experienced a surge in demand due to the Vieques protests, transporting demonstrators, law enforcement officers, and detainees. The airline also gained media attention from notable passengers such as political figures Ruben Berrios and Fernando Martín, along with Miss Puerto Rico 2002 Carla Tricoli. In June 2000, Islander News magazine featured VAL on its cover, highlighting the company’s perseverance post-Hurricane Hugo.
In 2008, VAL introduced a new route connecting Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport (TJVQ) in Vieques with José Aponte de la Torre Airport (TJRV) located at the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Ceiba. This service reduced flight duration to approximately seven or eight minutes using either Britten-Norman Islanders or Piper Cherokees.
Destinations
Vieques Air Link, Inc provides scheduled service to these destinations:
| [Hub] | Hub |
| [F] | Future destination |
| [S] | Seasonal |
| [T] | Charter destinations |
| Scheduled Destinations |
Fleet
| Aircraft | Quantity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six | 4 | Used for passenger transport |
| Britten-Norman Islander | 7 | Utilized for passenger service, medical evacuation, and cargo |
| Britten-Norman Trislander | 1 | Dedicated to cargo operations |
Accidents and incidents
- On December 21, 1971, an Islander (N589JA) crashed at Culebra airport following a failed go-around attempt due to insufficient clearance of obstacles.
- On December 19, 1977, an Islander (N862JA) ditched near Vieques after running out of fuel, resulting in engine failure during a flight from St. Croix; five of the ten occupants lost their lives.
- A bomb was found on a Vieques Air Link aircraft before departure on January 26, 1980.
- August 2, 1984, saw the crash of an overloaded Islander (N589SA) shortly after takeoff from Vieques to St. Croix due to left engine failure; all nine passengers and crew died. Suspected cause included fuel contamination.
- Three Islanders (N112JC, N290VL, N457SA) were destroyed by Hurricane Hugo on September 21, 1989.
- On November 19, 1999, Hurricane Lenny caused irreparable damage to an Islander (N907VL) at Anguilla Wallblake Airport.
- A pilot was suspended on May 6, 2000, for flying over a restricted U.S. Navy zone shortly after protests had ended.
- On June 2, 2020, a Piper Aztec crashed into San Juan Bay, resulting in two fatalities and one injury; this marked the airline’s first fatal accident in almost 36 years.