Dear Editor,
I recently visited Antigua with my family, including two small children, and was appalled by the chaotic and inefficient departure process at V.C. Bird International Airport.
As a frequent traveler to various Caribbean islands, I can confidently say this was the worst airport experience I’ve ever encountered.
Upon entering the terminal, we were immediately met with a queue at the bottom of the escalator, simply to go upstairs.
After ascending, we joined another line to present our passports and boarding passes, only to be directed to yet another massive queue for immigration clearance. Finally, we faced a fourth line for security screening.
This convoluted process consumed nearly two hours, which was particularly challenging with young children in tow.
It’s particularly disappointing because, in terms of facilities, Antigua boasts one of the nicest airports in the region. However, the inefficiency of the departure process overshadows this advantage.
Such disorganization is unacceptable for an island aspiring to be a premier vacation destination.
The current system not only frustrates visitors but also tarnishes Antigua’s reputation. I urge the relevant authorities to streamline airport procedures to ensure a more pleasant experience for departing passengers.
Sincerely,- Yazmin
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Sorry, our airport is run by an octogenarians and geriatrics who sit down to work and walk slowly so the big airport is hard for them to operate. One has been around for ten years and the geriatric has to go home for holidays so with the rush at Christmas they get overwhelmed.
Sorry again old age and airports don’t do well!
Yasmin, streamlining means a percentage of the people, the workforce would have to be given pink slips and be severed and that’s not a good political move for those who wish to keep power by any means necessary.
I arrived on Saturday Dec 21st on BA 2157. The flight was full as well as other flights had arrived filling the arrivals area to capacity. The ABLP Gov’t needs to consider passport scanning technology. I had passed through London Heathrow on my way to Antigua and while there was a multitude of people to clear immigration it was a simple process of scanning your passport Bio Page and proceeding to the baggage area. This would be a huge improvement to the visitor arrival experience.
Lady as an Antiguan who has traveled regionally to many other Caribbean countries and internationally I supposed was one in a million and I truly understand your dilemma. I believe it was my experience I would join you in writing my displeasure. Welcome to the reality that everyday will give you a different fruit it’s what you make with it makes the difference. I encourage you not to let one bad experience sour your impressions of the VC Bird international airport departure process. I have been through worst at international airports and can
relate
Dear Yazmin,
I am sorry this was your experience on that day. However, the process here is no more convoluted than any other place. Perhaps you were travelling during a particularly busy travel day/ period. I have personally spent 2 hours in Miami International just to get through immigration and customs, and have had similar experiences on the outbound sections through major airports around the world during busier periods.
Not to say that we cant or should look at ways to improve, but It is often too easy to criticize small nations…the very same happens elsewhere. I am sure the men and women at the VC Bird International tried their best to get people through as quickly as possible.
Airport Managers, and staff and especially the Head Negro in Charge and the Tourism Minister, please listen to what this frequent traveller is saying and figure out a way to make the Departing process less onerous.
Reading through the article, all I could think about is my experience EVERY SINGLE TIME I TRAVEL IN AMERICA!!!! So what is the author complaining about???? No doubt they have to deal with that coming and going in the US. I can personally attest to the fact that I spent almost 3 hours during this entire process at JFK a few months ago. Chupz!
It’s interesting that everything that you mentioned I have experienced in the US EVERY SINGLE TIME I TRAVEL and it’s worse there! Hopefully you’ve written to the transportation administration about that.
exactly!!!!!
Puff I agree with you. As a person who have traveled to many places both regionally and internationally.
V.C. Bird International Airport is not bad as the traveler is making it appears to be.
As far as the different line process to check your documents, that is to make sure that each traveler is good to go.
Look at what happened at JFK International Airport recently when a woman got on flight to Paris, and she had no documents. Not sure if that would’ve happened in Antigua at the V.C. International Airport.
My good friend Yazmin , I applaud you for asking for a way to help resolve or improve a travel experience. However I am not surprised by some of the responses I have read because you and I are born Antiguans who lived here into our young adulthood and we just want to see better . I ask Antiguans and Barbudans to understand criticism and note that improvements are not made if nobody makes note of the bad experiences. Embrace critical thinking to prevent poor reviews.
THIS PLACE CALLED ANTIGUA IS A BIG JOKE, I WOULDN’T LET ANYONE WHOSE A FRIEND OF MINE COME TO THIS SMELLY, NASTY PLACE TO VISIT. THERE’S NOTHING HERE TO SEE . I’VE BEEN TO BETTER PLACES IN THE WORLD AND THIS CRAP HOLE TAKES TOP PRIZE. YUCK IM SO ASHAMED OF THIS DUMP AND IM FROM HERE.
BEEN TO BETTER PLACES IN THE WORLD THAT PEOPLE CONSIDER CRAP HOLES BUT THIS PLACE TAKES TOP PRIZE. HAD TO CLARIFY THAT TO REFLECT THAT ANTIGUA IS THE ARMPIT IN THE CARIBBEAN.
No matter what you say things aren’t going to change on this island it’s all done to fool simple people however everything that’s being done is for the people with money who can buy the government.
very few countries can use the EGates in the UK, this is All of the EU, UK, US, CA, NZ and AU. The rest of the world cannot use the Egates.
Everyone wants a simplier process until something happens and then everyone asks why weren’t there procedures in place…..
Line and security are the norm anywhere you go…..little Antigua and big North America and Europe……deal with it.
You know you’re travelling especially with two young kids, get to the airport early. It’s also the busy holiday season so expect increased volumes.
We all have to deal with it.
This is what happens when Security want to do immigration job, Operations wanna do ATC job, Operations wanna be Agent and the list goes on on on.
Can’t be worse than Montego Bay airport .
I have done my fair share of traveling to Africa and many parts of the US and the situation is the same and even worse at times. Everywhere will have it’s issues and there are many big Airports in the US, where there is lack of communication and organization.
My recent arrival in Antigua. Arrival area packed, several planes arriving at the same time. I walk up to the immigration window and 3 ladies are talking and laughing, just chatting it up. I wonder why no one even looks our way. Oh, they are changing shifts in the middle off arrivals. No rush on their part. It took what seemed like forever to be knowledge. I was so disgusted upon arrival by the don’t care attitude that I wanted to scream. WHAT SMART MANAGER THOUGHT IT A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE A SHIFT CHANGE WHEN THEY KNOW SEVERAL PLANES WILL BE ARRIVING AND STAFF SHOULD BE READY TO PROCESS ARRIVALS.
My husband and I are very impressed with the VC Bird International Airport. Every time we visited Antigua, our conversations – the cleanliness, the hospitality from the airport staff, and more.
I would like to cosign your letter. Antigua airport is HORRIBLE. There’s not enough duty free shops and the few that exist are expensive and leave a lot to be desired; there’s hardly anything to eat there; you only get a measley 15 minutes of free WIFI; and they charge $40 USD antigua airport administration tax just to enter. This tax applies even to Antiguan Citizens!! Imagine being charged to enter the airport of your own country! Smh.
Some ppl just love to complain…shit man..
U were in such a rush to get to the beach, that a few extra mins to process things got u mad….come on..
Have some damn patience next time.
Actually it did happen at V C Bird, an individual got on a US bound plane without the proper documentation. But we conveniently forget this lapse.
Attn- Joke town Antigua-you sound as foolish as the moniker you’re using..Hope you live in a Paradise where the heck ever you live..I always knew slavery did not last as long as it did just because of the Slave masters-it lasted because of people with your kind of mentality….Silly
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