Commercial flights to and from Barbuda have resumed with the blessing of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA).

A release from Edward Gilkes, the Director of Operations at the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority, stated that the restart of flights comes after Saturday’s inspection of the facility by the ECCAA.

“Permission has been granted to resume commercial activity into Codrington airfield, Barbuda, effective 18 March 2018, in daylight operation hours only,” the release stated.

Speaking to Observer media yesterday, Gilkes noted that while relief flights had been utilising the airport, the facility could not handle commercial passengers.

“The airport was not secure, the airport terminal building was not in any condition to receive passengers. Although people came through the airport, we didn’t have any way to check-in passengers, do security checks, et cetera. Those take place as of this morning (Sunday),” Gilkes said.

Flights will be operating between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.