Barbuda Council Chairman Supports Burton Family’s Airport Naming Decision

Devon Warner, Chairman of the Barbuda Council, has publicly endorsed the Burton family’s decision to decline the Labour Party government’s offer to name the island’s new international airport after the late Sir Eric Burton.

Speaking to Observer, Warner expressed his full support for the family’s stance. The Burton family, in a letter dated September 16, formally requested the government reconsider its decision to name the airport the Burton-Nibbs International Airport.

This request comes in response to the government’s recent announcement that the airport, scheduled to open on October 3, would bear the names of both Sir Eric Burton and Arthur Nibbs, recognizing their contributions to Barbuda’s constitutional and economic development.

The family voiced concerns that a shared naming would not adequately honor either figure’s legacy. They emphasized Sir Eric’s decades-long contributions to Barbuda’s cultural heritage, stating, “Sir Eric’s legacy spanned many decades, including the cultural heritage that he proudly shared with anyone who had the opportunity to interact with him. He represented an era that should never be forgotten.”

While acknowledging Nibbs’ significant role in developing the airport project, the Burton family suggested his contributions should be “duly recognised” independently.

Nibbs, a former MP for Barbuda and ex-Barbuda Council chairman, played a key role in crafting the nation’s Constitution. Sir Eric Burton, who passed away in 2021 at 90, served as a former parliamentarian and opposition leader from 1984 to 1989. In 2012, he was knighted for his service to politics, agriculture, and the fishing industry.

The new international airport is set to become a crucial part of the ABLP’s development plans for Barbuda. As of now, the government has not publicly responded to the Burton family’s request.

In its earlier deliberations, the government had considered other names including Sir Claude Earl Francis, Sir Hilbourne Frank, Sir McChesney George, and Trevor Walker, all of whom were recognized for their tireless work for Barbuda.

This situation highlights the complex interplay between honoring historical figures and navigating contemporary political and developmental objectives in Barbuda.