AIRPORT SECURITY EXERCISE FAILURE
Antigua Barbuda Airport Authority has today, December 29, run a Security Drill in keeping with pre-Audit preparations for the ICAO audit due in January 2026. However, the twenty odd Private & Corporate Aircraft parked on Zone 1, formerly Runway 10 which is annexed to privately owned land, were overlooked, where all are in breach of Security as internationally imposed by International Civil Aviation Organization on Antigua & Barbuda as a member of ICAO.
Several security breaches were obvious on RWY10 where two aircraft were parked in the front of the only executive hangar in the region, preventing access or egress and disabling the use of the hangar. Aircraft badly parked close to a fence, which had its wing engaging with a fence, was left hanging without any investigation or report, leaving the pilots to wonder if they are in an undeveloped country, unaware of the sensitivity of aircraft and the avionics in the wing.
Further, over 11 aircraft were parked with wings overhanging privately owned lands, thereby creating security claim issues for the landowners should the wing and avionics be damaged. This brings to the surface the serious Safety violations under which corporate aviation in Antigua has been operating for the past 11 years.
Aviation is upheld by Insurance, without which the liability on small islands like ours would prevent our engaging in the manner, where we have been able to prove our capability and growth in commercial and private aviation. Without Insurance, Antigua & Barbuda could never dream of establishing FBO Services at the level, which allowed the first black-owned and operated FBO in the world to branch out to St.Kitts & Nevis. Aviation Insurance can only be valid if the ICAO Rules & Regulations are observed, and RWY10 lands are privately owned by local and expatriate business establishments. There are no agreements in place which allow the lands to be truly in the aviation control of the Airport Authority for the past 11 years, since the expiry of the prior owner’s Agreement with ABAA which permitted control by the airport Rules & Regulations.
Antigua would be well advised to give the power to the Interim CEO to regularize the lands on RWY10 in compliance with ICAO Rules & Regulations thereby preventing violations which could cost the island a significant loss in business and hard currency. Should any issue arise which require Insurance settlement, the insurance companies claim they will wash their hands from any incident on lands involved, which are outside the ‘airport premises.’
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