Cabinet Approves Five-Year Development Plan for Antigua and Barbuda’s Airports

Cabinet has authorised the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority to develop a five-year strategic plan to guide the management, expansion and commercial development of the country’s two international airports.

The 2027–2032 plan will cover V.C. Bird International Airport and Barbuda International Airport.

The proposal was presented by Tourism, Investment, Civil Aviation and Transportation Minister Charles Fernandez and approved during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.

V.C. Bird International Airport currently handles approximately one million passengers annually, while the existing terminal can accommodate an estimated 1.5 million passengers each year.

Cabinet said that available capacity creates opportunities to attract additional airline services, develop new routes and improve regional and international connectivity.

The Airport Authority will invite qualified consultants and firms with experience in aviation strategy, airport planning, transportation, logistics, organisational transformation and stakeholder engagement to submit proposals.

The successful consultant will assess the Authority’s current position, identify opportunities and challenges, consult stakeholders and prepare an actionable implementation framework.

The planning process will examine passenger transportation, air cargo, commercial development, technology, sustainability, organisational performance and regional aviation links.

For V.C. Bird International Airport, the strategy is expected to identify ways to attract more airlines, improve passengers’ experience and generate new commercial and aviation opportunities.

For Barbuda International Airport, the plan will support anticipated growth in tourism, investment, passenger traffic and other economic activity.

The Government has previously approved proposals for the further development and expansion of the Barbuda airport.

Submissions from prospective consultants are scheduled to close at 4 p.m. on November 20, 2026.

The selected consultant will be engaged under a fixed-price professional-services agreement, with payments tied to approved deliverables. These will include an inception report, environmental scan, stakeholder consultation report, draft strategy and final plan.

Cabinet said the exercise is intended to ensure the country’s airports are prepared for future changes in tourism, technology, international aviation and regional transportation.