
Cabinet Discusses Efforts to Regain Category 1 Aviation Status
The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda recently convened with the Director of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) to discuss strategies aimed at restoring the region’s aviation sector to Category 1 status. This meeting, held against the backdrop of Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing efforts to bolster aviation safety and compliance, focused on key infrastructure repairs and resource allocation.
One of the primary issues addressed was the state of the ECCAA headquarters, which has been unoccupied for several months due to structural concerns. The Cabinet committed to ensuring the building’s timely repair, recognizing its importance for the authority’s efficient operations. Furthermore, ECCAA will be provided with additional resources to hire specialized experts to strengthen its technical and regulatory capacities.
The discussion also emphasized ECCAA’s role in advancing the Eastern Caribbean region back to Category 1 status, a designation that was downgraded by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in May 2020. The downgrade resulted in restrictions on carriers from the region, preventing them from establishing new services to the United States, despite maintaining existing routes. To regain the higher rating, ECCAA has been working closely with member states to address deficiencies highlighted by the FAA, including implementing legislative reforms and enhancing administrative capabilities.
Antigua and Barbuda has already taken significant steps toward meeting the required standards. The country recently passed critical legislation, including amendments to the Civil Aviation Act, aimed at aligning with international safety protocols. These reforms have strengthened the regulatory framework, enabling VC Bird International Airport to meet the criteria necessary for Category 1 status.
The Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to supporting ECCAA’s efforts, acknowledging the vital role that aviation plays in the region’s economic development and connectivity. “Restoring Category 1 status is essential for boosting tourism and trade in the Eastern Caribbean,” a Cabinet statement noted.
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Quick way to get to #1 is getting rid a dem paper Customs and immigration forms, it’s taking too long.
I had written many times over the lack of security when the ABAA allowed Mekeda to reset the airport perimeter and allow the general public access through her premises so close to the private jets parked on runway ten. This is a major concern and breach of international Airport Security. When Stanford operated his hangar, there was 24/7 security and the then airport CEO Mr. Hurst made sure he abided by the strict rules. Now anyone can breach the security there. Just throw your illicit drugs over the fence and pick it up later. The government should set the airport perimeter back to its original place and ensure the fence is repaired all around. And further more the fence needs to be kept clean from bush. Actually I have suggested that their need to be a road inside the fence along the perimeter for the security to patroll. And cameras and lights should be placed along the entire perimeter fence line. No unauthorized person should ever be found within the perimeter fence. This is an international airport not a domestic airport and yes we have private FBO’s operating and a flying school, but there should always be oversight and security. Even for Mr. Calvin Ayre and his helicopter crew. We are much to lose with our airport security. The fence on airport road had been damage so many times by drivers, yet we have not seen the effort from the government to construct a railing along fence. But sad enough they are constructing one on Old Parham Road.It baffles me because for all those year I have not seen many accidents where motorist fell into the gutter. So why is this being constructed there at this time when the airport fence need to be secured at all times. Consider a worst case scenario where s terrorist group breaks through the fence with heavy duty vehicles in order to highjack a plane that id ready go take off. We need to think of these things. Do you know that each time a very high important political person leaves Antigua through the airport the Defense Force would secure the runway perimeter. You cannot drive on Berma Road. They will have ot blocked from both sides. And their cars would also be on airport road, until the plane had taken off. I urge the government to secure our airport and take these security breached serious. Too many bushes and shrubs on the compound and the fence.
When the USA Air Station was still on Shellbeach they used to patrol 24/7. And even Stanford could not do as he liked. Because they had their fiber optic cable hurried alongside the road going all the way to the base.
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