Airport Guide to V.C. Bird International (ANU)

Airport Overview

Terminal Transfer | Getting into Town | Car Parking | Information Desks | Airport Facilities

V C Bird International Airport is a relatively small airport used mainly by those holidaying on the islands of Antigua and Barbuda. However, it was originally built by the US army and still retains something of a militaristic feel. The airport is on the island of Antigua just 8km (5 miles) from the capital, St John’s.

V C Bird International Airport was originally named Coolidge International Airport, as the original air force base went by that name. Sir Vere Cornwall Bird was Antigua and Barbuda’s first prime minister and the airport was named after him in 1985.

Flights to V C Bird International Airport can be booked easily on Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT), which uses the airport as a base. There are also many flights to Antigua from airports in the Caribbean as well as Canada, New York, Miami and even London.

V C Bird International remains a modest airport with a limited selection of amenities. While it’s an easy airport to get out of once you’ve arrived, check-in queues for departing passengers can sometimes seem endless, and the landside part of the terminal is not air-conditioned, so it is best to get to check-in early and then grab a drink somewhere while waiting for your flight.

Back to top

Terminal Transfer

Not applicable as there is only one terminal.

Back to top

Getting into Town

Bus: There is no bus service to the airport. However, travellers with only a small amount of luggage can try and catch one of the local buses from the Airport Road into town. The Airport road is within a mile of the terminal and bus tickets cost EC$3.

Taxis: Taxis from the airport to St. Johns costs a fixed fare of US$12 for a car with up to four passengers. It costs just $13 to get from the airport to Deepwater Harbour. The trip to St. Johns usually takes between ten and 15 minutes. There is a taxi desk outside arrivals, which displays the government-regulated fares from the airport to different parts of the island. Some taxi drivers will make you share the taxi with other passengers, but the fare will remain the same for each passenger.

Back to top

Car Parking

Short and long-term parking is located in front of the terminal for a nominal fee.

Back to top

Information Desks

The staff at the information desk (on ground floor pre security) are friendly and knowledgeable about the islands’ attractions.

Back to top

Airport Facilities

Money and communications: A 24-hour ATM is available at the airport and there is a post office and currency-exchange facility.

Luggage: Porters can be found at the entrance/exit to the airport and tipping is expected.

Conference and business: The VIP lounge is the best the airport can offer in terms of business facilities. For all other conferencing and business needs it is best to use the nearby Anchorage Inn (tel: +1 (268) 462 4065), which is just five minutes from St. Johns and has a conference room, Internet and fax facilities.

Other facilities: Duty-free shopping, a VIP lounge, a chemist, first-aid facilities, and assistance for passengers with special needs are all available at V C Bird International Airport.

Wi-Fi: Internet facilities are available in the VIP Lounge. Wi-Fi facilities are available in the airside portion of the terminal.

Back to top