Barbuda to rename International Airport after Burton and Nibbs

Barbuda: Barbuda’s international airport will be named Burton-Nibbs International Airport to honour political figures Eric Burton and Arthur Nibbs for their legacy. The renaming will be held on November 1, 2026, marking the 45th Independence Day.

Antigua and Barbuda will be celebrating the 45th Independence Day on 1st November, and this renaming forms part of the celebration. The renaming is being done in the honour of the two men who have contributed largely to Barbuda’s political, economic and community development.

Sir Eric Burton is remembered as one of Barbuda’s most prominent figures. In the national legislature, he represented the island, and later he also served as Leader of the Opposition. Burton was considered a pioneering person in Barbuda’s development, and he was largely involved in connecting the island with the wider twin-island state. He was an important voice for Barbuda when the country was in a formative period.

Arthur Nibbs has also been deeply connected to Barbuda’s public and economic life. He was a native of Barbuda, and he served as the Chairperson of the Barbuda Council several times. He represented the island in both chambers of the national legislature. Nibbs was also part of the island’s early constitutional discussions surrounding independence.

Nibbs also worked as an assistant air traffic controller and served as personal manager at the K Club. He was also involved in cooperative activities, fishing and agriculture; this shows that he was interested in enhancing local economic opportunities.

Both of them are being honoured for their role in shaping Barbuda’s public affairs and economic development.

The airport opened in October 2024 after replacing the former Codrington Airport. It has now become Barbuda’s international gateway. Shortly before its opening, the authorities announced the decision to name the facility after Burton and Nibbs.

The November 1 ceremony will officially place the names of two influential Barbudans on one of the island’s most important modern infrastructure projects. This will hence preserve their connection to Barbuda for future generations.