The Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority (ABAA) is looking at a strategic re-use plan for the Old Terminal Building at the VC Bird International Airport.
Chief Executive Officer, Wendy Williams, said several options are being considered as the authority has to consider the growing demand for commercial space at the airport as well as the overflow of passengers at peak hours at the main gateway.
“Right now we are actually creating more space for our tenants and to develop the space we have at the old terminal, Terminal B. We have signed the contract to replace the current roof of the building with a new one and work should start by the middle of March,” she disclosed.
The main aim, according to Williams, is to re-use the terminal. “We have actually surpassed the carrying capacity of the new terminal, Terminal A, during peak hours of operation. One option that we are looking at is to have all the regional and domestic traffic utilize Terminal B, while Terminal A continues to service international flights.” She explained.
CEO Williams further explained that Terminal A’s peak carrying capacity is 1,700 passengers per hour. However, during peak hours that figures rises by an additional 2-300 passengers.
“Not only do we need to keep Terminal B, but we also need to look at diverting some of the traffic there from Terminal A. In a month’s time, we are expected to have in hand a plan for the further use of Terminal B,” she noted.
