A delegation from Anguilla received “very encouraging” feedback during Routes Americas 2026 – a leading aviation conference connecting the region’s airlines and airports.
The event, held in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, provided a platform for the island to strengthen industry ties and elevate its profile within the aviation industry, according to infrastructure minister Jose Vanterpool.
Speaking during a press conference on 9 March, he added that it also enabled attendees to clearly communicate that Anguilla’s aviation sector is progressing and preparing for future opportunities.
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“There is strong interest in Anguilla and clear recognition of the progress being made in modernising our airport infrastructure, including the runway expansion,” he said.
“These developments are widely viewed as critical to supporting future growth within Anguilla’s air connectivity.
“While follow up work will continue over the coming months, we can confidently see that Anguilla’s participation in Routes 2026 was a resounding success.”
Routes Americas brings together airlines, airports, tourism authorities and aviation stakeholders to discuss air connectivity and future growth across the Americas.
Along with Vanterpool, Anguilla was represented by tourism minister Cardigan Connor, tourism director Jameel Rochester, principal assistant secretary Kendell Richardson and executive airport manager Jabari Harrigan.
The project managers for Anguilla’s airport terminal expansion, Avia NG Airport Consultants, also attended to assist in representing Anguilla at their own cost.
“Our participation formed part of the government’s ongoing strategy to strengthen air access and position Anguilla for the next phase of aviation development,” Vanterpool said.
He said that during the conference they met with several airlines including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, BermudAir, Slate Aviation and Porter Airlines, among others.
“These meetings formed part of our continued efforts to maintain dialogue with key airline partners and to ensure that Anguilla remains viable and competitive within the global and regional aviation marketplace,” the minister said.
The delegation also met with tourism authorities from the US Virgin Islands, Saint Kitts and Nevis and the Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as representatives from the Baltimore/Washington International Airport.
“These discussions focused on regional collaboration, inter-Caribbean connectivity and the importance of coordinated approaches to airlift and tourism development,” Vanterpool said.
During the event, Connor participated in a panel discussion on regional airlift, contributing to the dialogue on improving air access and strengthening connectivity across the Caribbean.
