In a landmark announcement made during the 2026 ACI-LAC/ACI World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition in Lima, Peru, the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority (ABAA) has been officially appointed to the Governing Board of Airports Council International – Latin America and the Caribbean (ACI-LAC) for the 2026–2027 governing term. The high-profile regional aviation event, which ran from September 25 to 29, hosted ABAA Chief Executive Officer Kurt A.G. Menal, who represented the twin-island nation at the gathering.
This appointment marks a major milestone for Antigua and Barbuda’s aviation sector, granting the ABAA an elevated platform to contribute to critical regional conversations about the evolution and future direction of the global airport industry. The new governing role will open doors to deeper, more collaborative engagement with airport operators, civil aviation authorities, and cross-sector industry stakeholders, creating structured pathways to share specialized expertise, exchange proven best practices, and disseminate cutting-edge technical knowledge across the region.
For the small island developing state of Antigua and Barbuda, a permanent seat on the ACI-LAC Governing Board significantly amplifies the country’s voice in regional aviation decision-making. It also creates unprecedented opportunities to forge new strategic cross-border partnerships, advance shared initiatives, and align on priority work streams spanning airport infrastructure expansion, operational efficiency upgrades, enhanced aviation safety and security protocols, industry-wide sustainability transitions, digital technology integration, improved passenger experience, and expanded regional and global air connectivity.
The appointment carries outsize strategic importance for Antigua and Barbuda, where aviation acts as a foundational backbone of the national tourism economy and supports broader economic growth across all sectors. A robust, globally competitive airport ecosystem is non-negotiable for maintaining vital international air links, sustaining steady tourism growth, and attracting new foreign business and investment to the islands.
To provide context, Airports Council International (ACI) is the leading global trade association that represents over 2,200 airports across more than 160 countries worldwide, acting as the unified collective voice for the global airport community. The organization works in close collaboration with national governments, airport operators, and a full range of aviation stakeholders to advance policy and practice that supports safe, secure, efficient, sustainable, and economically viable airport operations around the world.
ACI-LAC is ACI’s regional arm serving the Latin America and Caribbean region, with a core mission centered on industry advocacy, professional workforce development, standardized skills training, cross-border technical cooperation, and the open exchange of industry knowledge and best practices. Beyond these core functions, the organization hosts a collaborative regional platform for airports to coordinate action on shared challenges and opportunities impacting the region, from aviation safety and infrastructure development to climate action, digital innovation, passenger facilitation, and expanded air connectivity.
With its new appointment to the ACI-LAC Governing Board, ABAA deepens Antigua and Barbuda’s integration into the regional and global airport community, positioning the authority to play an active role in shaping the future trajectory of aviation across Latin America and the Caribbean. Moving forward, ABAA has confirmed it will leverage its governing board participation to build targeted strategic partnerships that drive the long-term development and global competitiveness of Antigua and Barbuda’s aviation sector for years to come.