St. John’s, Antigua – On October 3, 2024, a historic occasion passed off in Antigua and Barbuda. The Barbuda Worldwide Airport formally opened. This marks a brand new chapter for Barbuda’s journey, tourism, and financial progress.
Barbuda’s new airport now offers direct flights to global destinations. It additionally improves the journey expertise for guests and residents on the island.
The $US14M Barbuda Worldwide Airport boasts a 6,100-foot runway, considerably longer (than the1,640 toes runway at Codrington Airport) and twice as large because the outdated Codrington Airport, enabling it to accommodate bigger plane, together with personal jets and planes such because the Embraer E-170. Geared up with a full LED runway lighting system, the airport now permits for normal evening landings. A 600-foot parking apron can can host a number of personal jets, enhancing Barbuda’s enchantment as a luxurious vacation spot.
Moreover, a contemporary Mounted Base Operator (FBO) terminal developed by PLH (Peace, Love and Happiness) will cater to high-end travellers looking for Barbuda’s seashores, serenity, nature and unique experiences.
Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez (file photograph)
“This new Barbuda Worldwide Airport is a shining testomony to the visionary management of our authorities”, mentioned Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Transportation, The Honourable Charles Fernandez. “We’ve taken daring steps to modernize this island, guaranteeing that its air hyperlinks are second to none on this area in order that Barbuda also can benefit from the outstanding progress in our nation’s tourism that we’ve got seen this 12 months.”
Development in Tourism Arrivals
Keep-over tourism air arrivals in Antigua and Barbuda grew by 17% within the first eight months of 2024. Throughout this time, the vacation spot welcomed 229,225 guests. This can be a +13% progress on arrivals on the similar time in 2019, one of the best 12 months for tourism arrivals.
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, The Hon. Gaston Browne
The opening of the Barbuda Worldwide Airport is a serious milestone within the authorities’s imaginative and prescient to place Barbuda as a premier luxurious vacation spot. It displays Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, The Hon. Gaston Browne’s dedication to reworking Barbuda into one of the affluent and flourishing sustainable island communities within the Caribbean and past.
“A global airport is a sport changer for Barbuda, as we glance to attracting the luxurious traveller and personal jet house owners from all over the world to Barbuda and showcasing the island’s magnificence, pink sand seashores, eco-experiences, wellness attributes and culture to all our guests”, mentioned Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO, Colin C. James.
Cruise Ships In Barbuda
In extra thrilling information, Minister Fernandez introduced that, “for the primary time ever, Barbuda will see 23 luxurious cruise ship calls bringing 5,039 cruise passengers to this lovely island for the upcoming winter cruise season.”
Ribbon Reducing Ceremony
Throughout the airport’s inauguration ceremony, His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams, the Governor Basic of Antigua and Barbuda, alongside Prime Minister The Hon. Gaston Browne, Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez, and varied officers and business representatives, commemorated the power’s official launch.
At the moment, Liat 20, BMN Air (SVG), Calvin Air, and personal jets by way of the PLH FBO are listed for journey into the brand new airport.
The Authorities of Antigua and Barbuda has introduced new plans to increase the Barbuda Worldwide Airport (BIA). The airport is only a 10-minute drive from Codrington village.
