Antigua and Barbuda / Airport

VC Bird International Airport, airport code ANU, t 462 0358, is located on the north-eastern side of Antigua and is approximately five miles from the capital St John’s. It is about 30 minutes drive from English Harbour and the hotels on the south coast. Originally an American military air base dating back to World War II, the airport is now a major international hub serving the North-eastern Caribbean (particularly from the UK, from where there are several flights each day). It is also the main base of LIAT.

Facilities at the airport are due to be upgraded with new Arrival and Departure lounges and the addition of shops and restaurants landside. The Departures Hall has had a small extension (not the complete works), but there is no date for construction on the new buildings as yet. See more information about the Antigua airport upgrade plans.

Current facilities in the Departure Hall include a number of small duty free shops, a bar with a limited snack service (this can get very busy – best be prepared and either eat beforehand or do as the locals do, and carry your own refreshments). Landside there is a 24-hour ATM, post office, bureau de change, car hire. You will find an air-conditioned restaurant and bar upstairs, but also close by is the Sticky Wicket restaurant and sports bar, which overlooks the Stanford Cricket Ground and is a nicer place to grab a drink after check-in. There is a tourist information office in the Arrivals Hall.

Note that on arrival, depending on where your aircraft is parked, you may have a bit of a walk to the terminal. Future plans for the airport include two transit buses for remote aircraft parking. Once inside, the current terminal can be cramped when two large planes arrive at the same time. If you are travelling with small children, keep an eye out for one of the airport officials. They sometimes check the immigration queues and direct families to a quicker line. A porter service is available and tipping is expected. Please note that Departure Tax is payable only after check-in, at a collection booth outside Departures. Queues can occur, after which you will need to queue again at Immigration and security checks, where there is sometimes another bottleneck. Ensure that you arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare.