Opening of new Barbuda airport is possibly ‘weeks away’

The opening o the new airport in Barbuda which will have the capacity to
accommodate jet aircraft is possibly only ‘weeks away’.
According to Prime Minister Gaston Browne the opening of the airport has been
delayed because of a number of outstanding regulatory issues.
In response to a question from the Barbuda representative, Trevor Walker,
regarding the delay in opening the airport, PM Browne said the authorities are
awaiting final approval before proceeding with the opening.
“My understanding is that there are some final approvals that are required from the
Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) and we still hope that within
a matter of possible weeks, we can still have this new airport on Barbuda open so
that Barbudans can, for the first time in its history, receive jet traffic,” he
remarked.
The prime minister explained that initially, the feeling was that this matter of the
approvals would have been completed within a shorter period of time, but whilst
he acknowledges that they have become somewhat protracted, he feels confident
that these will be approved in time.
“These are regulatory matters and obviously ECCAA has to be satisfied. However,
I believe that we are close as all of the steps have been completed, I am told, and
they are just waiting for the regulators to give the final approval,” he stated.
It was initially 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.
The opening of the airport will open up Barbuda to a new world of possibilities of
direct flights to many ports thus saving residents of the island the necessity of
having to travel to Antigua for all of their air travels.