The Caribbean island with huge pink sand beach has new £10.8million international airport

A NEW international airport has opened on a lesser-visited Caribbean island famous for its pink sand beaches.

Barbuda, one of the two major islands that form Antigua and Barbuda, has opened a brand-new $14million (£10.8million) international airport.

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The new airport opened earlier this month in a bid to improve the island’s “connectivity, tourism and economic growth”.

Barbuda International Airport (airport code BBQ) has a 6,100-foot runway, up from 1,640-foot at the island’s previous airport, which can accommodate larger aircraft like private jets.

Its new runway has an LED lighting system, allowing for regular night landings, as well as ample space for multiple private jets.

The new airport welcomed its first international flight, which landed on the runway yesterday (October 27).

According to WIC news, private aircraft originated from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey.

For the foreseeable future, Barbuda International Airport will only accommodate private flights.

While no commercial routes are currently in operation, given the island’s push for tourism airline routes could become part of its offering.

Considering the private jet flight from New Jersey, commercial flights to and from the US are likely to be first, with UK holidaymakers having to wait longer for a service.

The news comes after Antigua and Barbuda reported a 17 per cent uptick in tourist numbers in the first eight months of 2024, welcoming 229,225 visitors.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Transportation, The Honourable Charles Fernandez said: “This new Barbuda International Airport is a shining testament to the visionary leadership of our government.

“We have taken bold steps to modernise this island, ensuring that its air links are second to none in this region so that Barbuda can also take advantage of the remarkable growth in our country’s tourism that we have seen this year.”

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO, Colin C. James, added: “An international airport is a game changer for Barbuda, as we look to attracting the luxury traveller and private jet owners from around the world to Barbuda and showcasing the island’s beauty, pink sand beaches, eco-experiences, wellness attributes and culture to all our visitors.”

When commercial flights do start operating to the island, there will be plenty to keep holidaymakers entertained.

Barbuda is famous for its Pink Sand Beach.

The island was also one of Princess Diana‘s favourite holiday destinations, with Coco Point Beach among her favourite spots.

Regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, the beach was renamed Princess Diana’s Beach on what would’ve been her 50th birthday in 2011.

Meanwhile, A-lister Robert De Niro owns the Nobu Beach Inn – a restaurant on the island.

Other attractions on the island include the Indian Cave on Two Foot Bay, which is said to be the island’s most accessible neolithic cave.

To reach Barbuda without a direct flight, British holidaymakers will need to fly to Antigua before boarding a 90-minute ferry to the island.

Virgin Atlantic currently operates direct flights from London Gatwick to Antigua, with return fares from £373 in December.

There are plenty of other islands to visit in the Caribbean, including Jamaica, St Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados and Turks and Caicos.

Barbuda isn’t the only island that’s set to benefit from a new airport.

Dominica – not to be confused by the Dominican Republic – has revealed plans for a XCD$1billion (£292million) international airport that hopes to open by 2026.

And the Maldives has revealed plans for a £620million airport expansion.

Earlier this month, Greenland revealed plans to open three new airports on the island.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which closed in November 2022, could reopen thanks to a new multi-million-pound plan.

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