Antigua’s VC Bird International Airport (VCBIA) has been given a new lease on life, thanks to the expertise of Miguel Southwell, a globally respected aviation professional. Southwell, who previously managed Miami Airport and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport—the world’s busiest—has returned to his homeland to spearhead the transformation of VCBIA. His U.S.-based aviation services company, now internationally acclaimed, has taken on the challenge of overhauling Antigua’s small yet strategically significant airport in the Caribbean region. This move is seen as a labor of love, given the airport’s historical struggles with inefficiencies and the lingering effects of the Allen Stanford financial scandal. The Antiguan government has been praised for its decision to prioritize the modernization of VCBIA, which serves as the nation’s gateway to the world. The project includes a comprehensive assessment of the airport’s infrastructure and administrative systems, aiming to elevate it to the standards of a premier international hub. Additionally, efforts are underway to resolve longstanding issues related to private land ownership within the airport’s footprint, a matter championed by the late National Hero, Sir Lester Bird. This initiative marks a pivotal moment for Antigua’s aviation sector, promising enhanced operational efficiency and a brighter future for the island’s tourism and economic growth.