Antigua to Host Largest Regional Civil Aviation Conference

Antigua and Barbuda will host the region’s largest Regional Civil Aviation Conference next week, bringing together aviation stakeholders to discuss innovation and new approaches within the aviation industry.

The Regional Civil Aviation Conference, hosted by the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA), will focus on how regulators and industry leaders can adapt to rapidly changing technologies and emerging aviation activities.

Speaking during the opening of ECCAA’s expanded headquarters, Director General Anthony Whittier said one of the key topics will be the use of regulatory sandboxes. These systems allow aviation authorities to safely test new technologies, business models, and operational concepts before introducing them into formal regulations.

Whittier said aviation continues to evolve quickly, and regulators must adapt alongside the industry.

“Aviation itself is changing, and therefore, as we are the oversight body for aviation, we also must change and adapt,” he said.

He explained that ECCAA is increasingly dealing with aviation proposals and activities that may not fit neatly within existing regulations, including emerging technologies and recreational aviation operations.

The Regional Civil Aviation Conference also comes as ECCAA advances several modernization initiatives, including cybersecurity programmes, aerodrome certification efforts, technical training, and preparations linked to the region’s push to regain FAA Category 1 status.

Officials say the conference will allow regulators, aviation operators, and industry experts to discuss how the Eastern Caribbean can safely support innovation while maintaining international aviation standards.