Following the torrential rain and high winds that resulted from the passage of tropical storm Jerry on the early morning of Friday October 10th 2025, the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority (ABAA) is reporting a quick recovery of air service operations at both the V. C. Bird International Airport (VCBIA) and the Barbuda International Airport (BIA).
Both airports resumed operations at approximately 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. respectively the very day of the passage of the storm. Following a post-weather assessment, it was found that the BIA, where the storm was more severe, was impacted by roadway and runway flooding that at times reached 6 to 12 inches but receded quickly to allow for the speedy resumption of the airport’s operations.
The modern terminal, roadway, taxiway and runway infrastructure of the V.C. Bird International emerged totally unscathed with no reports of damage whatsoever. Not the same however for the de-commissioned 40-year-old VCBIA terminal, which is now under phased construction to be repurposed for administrative offices.
There was some water damage when the old drain pipes in a section of the aged, disbanded terminal were unable to accommodate the torrential downpour. Early indications are that the old drains may have become clogged from 40 years of settled debris, which was compounded by dust and discarded particles from recent repairs to the roof. ABAA has pressure-flushed the drains and is studying additional precautionary measures as repairs proceed on the old building.
Meantime, there were several airline disruptions, with VCBIA experiencing only one cancellation of one of three daily flights to North America. The other cancellations were domestic and regional in nature given the storm’s domino effect on regional travel.
Even so, passengers such as Mr. Rendford Laville who was traveling on a delayed flight to Tortola, reported a favorable customer experience, stating, “…I was comforted and I recognized that even with a weather delay, the agents here in Antigua were doing all that they could. I appreciated that.”
