As Antigua and Barbuda ramps up preparations to host the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) running from November 1 to 4, regional carrier Caribbean Airlines has released a formal customer guidance notice to help travellers navigate anticipated disruptions around V.C. Bird International Airport. The airline flagged that widespread official leader motorcades, targeted temporary road closures, and a sharp surge in high-security traffic volume in the airport’s surrounding precincts are likely to create significant access delays over the four-day diplomatic summit, though no flight cancellations or scheduled service adjustments have been announced at this stage. Under the advisory, all passengers departing from Antigua and Barbuda are strongly recommended to plan their journeys to arrive at the airport no less than three hours ahead of their confirmed departure time, building in extra buffer time for potential hold-ups on local approach roads. Travellers are also advised to pre-prepare all required travel documentation for check-in and security screening, and to cross-verify their real-time flight status before leaving their accommodation to avoid unexpected disruptions. For parties planning to pick up arriving guests at the airport, the airline urges regular monitoring of live flight update feeds and additional travel time to reach the terminal without last-minute rushing. The carrier also reiterated its standard check-in protocols for the summit period: online self-service check-in opens 24 hours prior to scheduled departure and closes three hours before takeoff, while in-person international flight check-in desks and baggage drop points open three hours before departure, and cease operations exactly one hour ahead of the scheduled flight time. The notice follows a nearly identical travel advisory issued earlier by fellow regional operator Liat Air, as local law enforcement authorities move to implement layered security frameworks for the high-profile gathering. Antiguan police officials have previously issued public assurances that V.C. Bird International Airport will remain fully operational throughout the CHOGM event, with designated traffic control checkpoints and temporary adjusted lane configurations put in place specifically to preserve unbroken, safe access to the passenger terminal for all regular travellers alongside official delegations.
Caribbean Airlines urges passengers to arrive three hours early at V.C. Bird Airport during CHOGM
