New Barbuda airport opening could be just weeks away.

The government of Antigua and Barbuda is eagerly anticipating the opening of the new airport in Barbuda, which will have the capacity to accommodate jet aircraft and could be just a few weeks away from being operational.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has revealed that the opening of the airport has been delayed due to a number of outstanding regulatory issues that need to be addressed before the airport can be opened to the public.

In response to a question from the Barbuda representative, Trevor Walker, regarding the delay in opening the airport, PM Browne explained that the authorities are currently awaiting final approval from the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) before proceeding with the opening.

This approval is necessary in order to ensure that the airport is fully compliant with all necessary safety regulations.

PM Browne expressed his hope that the airport could be opened within a matter of weeks, allowing Barbudans to finally receive jet traffic for the first time in the island’s history.

He acknowledged that the process of obtaining final approval has been somewhat protracted, but he remains confident that the necessary regulatory matters will be resolved in time.

The opening of the airport will open up a whole new world of possibilities for Barbuda, with direct flights to many ports becoming available and saving residents of the island the necessity of having to travel to Antigua for all of their air travels.

Initially, it was anticipated that the opening of the airport would have been completed in time for Christmas, to take advantage of the usual over-spill of private jets that arrive in Antigua during that time and which are parked at Runway 10.

However, due to the regulatory delays, the opening has been pushed back to a later date.