safety steps

𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧𝗦𝗔𝗣𝗣 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟! 𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaN7nmQGOj9na4QhBa12

The emergency response capabilities of the V.C. Bird International Airport have received a significant boost following the formal handover of a new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle and a fully equipped Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ambulance.

The new equipment was officially welcomed into service during a handover ceremony held on Tuesday at the Calvin Ayre Hangar at the V.C. Bird International Airport, attended by representatives of the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority, Government officials, and senior representatives of the Fire Department, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, aviation and emergency services personnel and other invited guests.

The new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicle was acquired at a cost of approximately US$1.2 million, while the fully equipped EMS ambulance represents an additional investment of approximately US$100,000.

The addition of the new ARFF vehicle brings the airport’s firefighting fleet to three vehicles and strengthens its capacity to respond rapidly and effectively to an aircraft or airside emergency. The EMS ambulance also provides the airport with a properly outfitted emergency medical response vehicle dedicated to its operations.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Transportation, The Honourable Charles Fernandez described the acquisition as an important investment in preparedness, safety and compliance.

“This investment represents our continued determination to ensure that V.C. Bird International Airport operates at the standard expected of a modern international airport,” Minister Fernandez said.

He stressed that while investments in the terminal, runway and overall passenger experience remain important, they must be underpinned by an uncompromising commitment to safety and emergency preparedness.

“We can attract the world’s leading airlines and welcome record numbers of visitors, but underpinning all of those achievements must be an uncompromising commitment to safety and emergency preparedness,” he said.

The Minister noted that passengers, airline partners and international regulatory partners must have confidence that the systems, personnel and equipment necessary to protect those using the airport are in place.

The acquisition also forms part of wider work being undertaken as V.C. Bird International Airport moves towards airport certification in 2027.

The certification process requires the airport to demonstrate that its infrastructure, procedures, trained personnel, emergency capability and institutional systems consistently operate at the required international standard.

The investment comes as the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority continues one of the most significant runway and airfield rehabilitation programmes in the airport’s history, alongside continued investment in terminal, security and operational infrastructure.

According to Minister Fernandez, these improvements are increasingly important as Antigua and Barbuda continues to experience strong growth in tourism and airlift.

“As Minister of Tourism, I want more visitors coming through these doors. As Minister of Civil Aviation, however, my responsibility is equally to ensure that as those numbers grow, our safety, infrastructure and operational capacity grow with them,” he said.

The Minister also emphasised that preparedness extends beyond purchasing equipment and requires continuous training, preventative maintenance, technical expertise, inspections and operational readiness.

“Aviation safety is not built on hope. It is built on preparedness. It is having the right equipment before it is needed. It is having trained personnel ready before an emergency occurs,” Minister Fernandez said.

He commended the Chairman and Board of Directors of the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority, its management team, Operations Department and all those involved in completing the procurement, while also recognising the work of the airport’s firefighters and emergency medical personnel.

“The equipment before us is impressive, but equipment alone does not save lives. People do,” Minister Fernandez said.
He encouraged the Airport Authority to continue investing in its personnel, equipment and training, with the goal of going beyond basic compliance.

“Our ambition for V.C. Bird International Airport should not simply be to meet the standard. But, wherever possible, to set the standard,” he said.

The acquisition represents a major step in strengthening safety, emergency preparedness and operational capacity at Antigua and Barbuda’s principal international gateway.