New Terminal for Regional Aviation Hub

The United Progressive Party attaches strategic value to airline traffic in the country’s development, and will continue to collaborate with its aviation partners and stakeholders – nationally, regionally and internationally – to increase and expand air services into and through Antigua and Barbuda.

This includes continued development of freight, charter, and private jet markets. The expansion work now underway at the VC Bird International Airport, and planned additional works, can be expected to further propel Antigua and Barbuda forward as a major centre for aviation in the Caribbean, as well as to contribute to the economic and social development of the country.

The UPP’s 2009 programme for aviation builds on a history of achievement over the last five years that has seen tourist arrivals into Antigua and Barbuda climb steadily from 423,000 arrivals in 2004 to 934,574 in 2007. This achievement has been all the more impressive given the general world-wide crisis that has faced much of the aviation industry during this time. New services have included direct flights from New York, Miami, Atlanta, and Manchester – opening our country as a
gateway to an even greater range of travelers.

To help in achieving these impressive gains, the UPP administration has embarked upon major physical and institutional changes at the VC Bird International Airport.

These changes have included:

• Upgrades to the Arrival Hall, including complete refurbishment and `installation of computerized systems and controls;
• Complete refurbishment of the VIP Lounge;
• Expansion and upgrade of the Departure Lounge;
• An ongoing US$50m expansion and upgrade of the runway and adjacent areas;
• Establishment of the Airport Authority.

At the regional level, the UPP Government has been a major investor in the Antigua- based airline LIAT, securing the jobs of hundreds of Antiguans and Barbudans, as well as ensuring interregional travel throughout the Caribbean.

The UPP administration has also worked vigorously to ensure safe, affordable and reliable air transport for the people of Barbuda, working with Carib Aviation, then WINAIR, to achieve this goal.

Going forward, a UPP administration will be continuing its programme for the upgrading of facilities at the country’s airports. This involves continuing to work with our regional and international partners to secure financing for a new terminal facility to replace the existing structure. This transformation can be expected to further strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s role as a premier hub for regional and transatlantic air travel. Barbuda has not been forgotten and plans are well advanced for the complete upgrade of the Codrington airport facilities.

The new Terminal at V.C. Bird International will be equipped with four Jet Bridges, making V.C. Bird International the only airport so equipped in the Eastern islands of CARICOM, apart from Trinidad and Tobago.