Caribbean island with UK flights and world's best beaches to be even easier to travel to this summer
A CARRIBEAN island nation will be even easier to travel to this summer due to a new digital arrival and departure system.
The twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda boast 365 reef-lined beaches, with clear waters and golden sand.
6
6
And both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly directly from London to Antigua.
But now, it will be even easier to head to the destination as a digital arrival and departure system for travellers at VC Bird International Airport, in Antigua, has been launched.
The new portal will allow travellers to pre-submit their details and spend less time queuing at the airport, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has said.
Passengers will use the website - arriveantigua.com - on their phone or tablet to take a photo of their passport, which allows them to pre-fill essential details.
They will also answer a few question about their trip and customs declarations.
Once complete, a QR code will be issued to be shown at Immigration and Customs.
The code can be saved by the traveller to their iPhone Wallet, via screenshot or accessed through email confirmation.
The platform will soon be expanded to include arrivals via seaport and for private jet travellers.
Charles Fernandez, minister for tourism, civil aviation and transportation, said: "This is an important milestone in our ongoing mission to enhance the visitor experience for all who travel to Antigua and Barbuda.
"With ArriveAntigua.com, we are prioritising efficiency, ease and a truly seamless transition from plane to paradise," reports Travel Weekly.
Dominican Republic is the cheapest Caribbean island
In addition to world-class beaches, Antigua and Barbuda are home to many historical sites including Nelson's Dockyard.
Popular spots such as Dickenson Bay, feature calm waters making them perfect for swimming, kayaking and other water sports.
Alternatively, there are also quiet and secluded beaches, such as Ffryes Beach, which boasts calm waters.
The islands are also home to rainforests and a wide range of wildlife.
A new international airport opened on Barbuda last year, costing $14million (£10.8million).
6
6
The airport is due to improve the island's "connectivity, tourism and economic growth", according to authorities.
But, for the foreseeable future, Barbuda International Airport will only accommodate private flights.
However, flights are still available to VC Bird International Airport, which takes just under nine hours to fly to and flights cost from around £500.
One woman quit the UK to live on one of the cheapest Caribbean islands.
Plus, the unspoiled Caribbean island away from the crowds – with one of the world's shortest runways.
6
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Beyond paradise: Experience the authentic heart of Hawaiʻi's diverse islands
The Hawaiian Islands emerge from the depths of the Pacific, all jagged volcanic landscapes, lush valleys and secret beaches of soft sands. These islands bask in perpetual sunshine and gentle temperatures, making them a year-round haven. And beyond their stunning natural beauty, they are enriched by a distinctive and vibrant culture, where the spirit of aloha infuses the warm hospitality extended to all. Though now the 50th US state since 1959, the very soul of the Hawaiian Islands is deeply rooted in their rich Polynesian heritage, offering an authentic and unforgettable travel experience. Where you can surf one day and hike another, drive deep into pristine landscapes, relax in glamorous resorts and delve into a thriving culture. Here every day is different. Book your Hawaiian break with British Airways Holidays and enjoy generous baggage allowance, ATOL protection and a range of carefully selected hotels to choose from. You'll fly from London via continental USA, with the option to arrive in O'ahu, Maui, the Island of Hawaii, or Kaua'i. You'll even have the option to add a hire car, perfect for discovering more of Hawai'i at your own pace. Embrace the aloha spirit The Hawaiian People are celebrated for their authentic aloha, an inclusive and life-affirming spirit of togetherness. Having once existed as a sovereign kingdom, the distinct traditions and deep-rooted heritage of each island offer a unique and enriching experience for visitors. Native Hawaiians share a profound and sacred bond with their ancestral lands, a relationship intricately woven with their history and the cultural value of mālama. This principle embodies a deep respect and care for the landscape, fostering peace, compassion, and a sense of responsibility towards future generations. This reverence extends to the numerous sacred sites found throughout the islands, forming an essential part of the customs that bind the Hawaiian people. By appreciating this profound connection, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the true essence of Hawaiian culture. Islands of adventure Hawaiʻi's allure lies in the diversity of its islands, each presenting unique landscapes and adventures. And it's so easy to combine them, experiencing everything from active volcanoes to verdant rainforests, black sand beaches, and vibrant marine life. You'll also have the chance to discover local artistry and savour delicious cuisine, truly immersing yourself in this remarkable Pacific culture. So which islands will you explore? Kauaʻi Known as 'The Garden Isle,' Kauaʻi, the fourth largest and oldest in the volcanic Hawaiian chain, truly lives up to its verdant name. Its landscape features emerald valleys, dramatic mountain peaks, and weathered cliffs. Over millions of years, lush rainforests, winding rivers, and breathtaking waterfalls have formed. Beyond its stunning natural beauty, the island offers diverse outdoor adventures. Here, you can enjoy kayaking, snorkelling and hiking the trails of the State Parks, or soaring through the air on a zipline above the island's verdant valleys. Kauaʻi's relaxed ambiance and the vibrant culture found within its charming towns also contribute to its enduring appeal. Oʻahu The third largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Oʻahu presents a captivating blend of urban sophistication and relaxed coastal charm. It's a dynamic place where Honolulu, the state's capital and largest city, offers the opportunity to ascend volcanic craters in the morning and unwind with evening cocktails by a rooftop pool. North Shore offers a captivating blend of city-to-country charm, where the laid-back surf towns and lush landscapes feel a world away from the bustle of Honolulu, yet are just a scenic drive up the coast. Yes, here you'll find the dreamy beaches of Waikīkī, but the island's diverse landscape also encompasses lush rainforests, significant historical sites, and serene temples. The Byodo-In Temple is a non-denominational Buddhist temple and a stunning replica of Japan's Uji Byodo-In Temple. Visitors will also love the new Cirque du Soleil ʻAuana, a dazzling show exclusive to Hawaiʻi featuring breathtaking acrobatics, comedy, mesmerising music and stunning vocals. Known as 'The Gathering Place,' Oʻahu truly embodies its name, hosting a vibrant mix of cultures with a harmonious blend of Eastern and Western influences deeply intertwined with Native Hawaiian traditions. This fascinating interplay between ancient heritage and modern life makes exploring Oʻahu a truly enriching experience. Maui Maui is the quintessential island escape, offering much more than just beach life, though its beaches are exceptional. Discover opulent resorts, scenic drives, volcanic National Parks, and world-class opportunities for observing whales in their natural habitat from December to April. If you are drawn to witnessing volcanic sunrises, exploring diverse beaches, and indulging in a touch of luxury, Maui is an ideal choice, catering perfectly to anyone seeking the essence of wild Hawaiʻi without sacrificing comfort. Once a royal retreat, Kāʻanapali on the sunny western coast of Maui boasts a stunning three-mile stretch of golden sands and crystal clear waters. With its laid-back charm and indulgent experiences, this much-loved resort blends natural beauty with vibrant culture and world-class luxury. Stay at The Westin Maui Resort and Spa Kaʻanapali for its perfect ocean-front location on Kaʻanapali Beach, five on-site dining options, pools and fitness studio. Island of Hawaiʻi Island of Hawaiʻi, the youngest and largest in the chain, is almost double the size of all other Hawaiian Islands combined, a truly breathtaking expanse, but with a population of little more than 200,000. Its immense scale allows for an astonishing diversity of climates, hosting all eight of the world's 13 climate zones, from steamy rainforests to icy alpine conditions, thanks to the towering presence of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. This natural powerhouse showcases incredible geological wonders, from the fiery landscapes to snow-dusted peaks, and from verdant valleys to striking black sands. Kīlauea, within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, is one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupting regularly of late and lighting up the night sky with its spectacular molten lava flows. Exploring this island's dramatic variations is an experience that genuinely inspires awe. Paradise found You'll discover your own piece of paradise on the Hawaiian Islands. From the awe-inspiring power of nature's dramatic landscapes to the warmth of a culture that embraces you with the true spirit of aloha, Hawai'i offers an unforgettable escape. Connect with the rich heritage, explore diverse islands brimming with adventure, and experience a welcome like no other. With British Airways Holidays everything is covered, with flights, baggage, hotels, and car hire all conveniently arranged. Embrace the freedom to explore at your own pace and create memories that will last a lifetime. WHEN YOU BOOK WITH BRITISH AIRWAYS HOLIDAYS - All British Airways Holidays packages are ATOL-protected, keeping you and your money safe. - All package bookings include flexible payment options, with low deposits. - All British Airways Holidays packages include a generous baggage allowance, along with a 24 hour dedicated support helpline during your trip. - British Airways Holidays offers a range of hotel options as well as the opportunity to hire a car with Avis. - When you book flights and car hire together, all mandatory charges are included, and you'll benefit from roadside assistance and 24-hour customer support. All hotels and car hire are committed to British Airways' high safety standards.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
British Airways bans cabin crew from taking certain photos on layovers
BA has cited security concerns over potential AI-powered location identification as the main reason for the ban, which follows another set of photo rules for staff that was introduced in 2023 British Airways staff have been banned from posting photos during layovers in popular destinations, it has been reported. The UK's flag carrier has implemented strict new social media restrictions aimed at stopping cabin crew from sharing layover snaps from their accommodation in locations such as the Maldives, Cape Town and Singapore. The airline has not implemented the ban in a bid to ruin all of the fun, but instead to mitigate any potential security risks. BA has cited security concerns over potential AI-powered location identification as the main reason for the ban. It claims that sophisticated computer software could analyze seemingly innocent background details to identify specific hotel locations and crew accommodation patterns, potentially putting the flight staff in jeopardy. Now, crew members must delete such photos and videos from their personal accounts, even private ones. Aviation A2Z reports that all British Airways members, including pilots and cabin crew, are affected. Get Ready With Me videos - in which people film themselves putting on their outfit for the day - filmed in hotel rooms and bathrooms are now banned. Outfit of the Day content showing off BA uniform is also on the scrapheap. Fun photos taken in hotel pools, at private beaches and in the lobby areas are also now forbidden. Back in February 2023, BA introduced a raft of new rules that stopped staff from posting videos and pictures while they were "professionally engaged' in their duties. That included workers on security checks, passenger service, and operational activities. Those rules were designed to clamp down on cabin crew members documenting their lives for TikTok and Instagram followers. A ban on sharing photos of crew sat inside aircraft engines was also brought in. Staff were unhappy at the time, with the following backlash leading BA to clarify that crew could still share photos in their uniform, so long as they weren't actively working. In April, a British Airways crew member was found dead in a hotel room during a stopover - although it is not clear if the new photo policy is connected to the tragic event. Concern was raised for Irfan Ali Mirza when the 45-year-old man failed to report for duty on Thursday after staying at the crew hotel in San Francisco, US. He had arrived there on a flight from London Heathrow and had a two-day layover before the return journey. Hotel managers eventually unlocked Irfan's room where they found the father of three dead on the bed. Police said the responding officers' investigation of the scene "did not discover any evidence of foul play" and the body was taken by the medical examiner. The BA 284 flight from San Francisco International Airport to London Heathrow due to depart at 4.20pm on Thursday April 17 was cancelled. One Mile At A Time reported that Mr Mirza's fellow crew members were too upset to fly. BA has been contacted for comment.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Soldiers dug my grave & raped my colleagues when I was taken hostage working as BA cabin crew… ordeal still haunts us
AS Iraqi soldiers dug a huge ditch, one of them broke down in tears and told Clive Earthy that it was for the British Airways crew member being held as a 'human shield'. But the young man then told the father-of-three: 'Don't worry... the officer is a nice man and he will make sure you will not feel any pain because he will shoot you straight in the head." 14 14 14 This was just one of several occasions when Clive, 82, from Alresford, Hampshire, thought during a four month hostage ordeal in 1990 that 'I was going to die and never see my wife and children again'. Now, 35 years on from the invasion of the Gulf state of Kuwait by Iraqi forces, the grandfather is hoping to solve the mystery of British Airways Flight 149. The Jumbo Jet was allowed to stop in Kuwait City to refuel on August 2, even though the British government knew that dictator Saddam Hussein 's tanks had rolled into his oil-rich neighbour six hours earlier. Once on the tarmac, fighter jets flew across the airport and there were explosions nearby. It only takes a moment to divert a plane, so why wasn't Flight 149's captain told not to touchdown? Clive, who was Head of Cabin Services looking after 367 passengers, thinks he has the answer. He claims a British officer in military uniform at the Boeing's exit told him: 'You're running very, very late, and I've been asked to escort off your flight a group of young men,' who were then ushered away from the normal immigration channel. Later, during captivity in Iraq, Clive says he was told by other members of the UK armed forces that they knew Flight 149 had been coming into Kuwait with important men on board. The theory is that the British Airways passenger plane had been ordered to land in a war zone in order to get a 'black ops' team covertly into the country. This has always been denied by the British government - but it is the policy of the authorities not to reveal SAS operations. Now a Sky documentary titled Flight 149: Hostage of War has delved into the scandal of how innocent passengers came to be used as pawns by Saddam - who paraded his British hostages, including then six-year-old Stuart Lockwood, on TV. Last summer 94 people who survived that journey into hell joined together to sue the British government and British Airways for alleged negligence. That case is ongoing and is expected to put forward new evidence of a cover-up. Clive, who is part of the civil action, tells The Sun: 'I would just like the government, namely the MoD [Ministry of Defence] and British Airways to admit that they knew about certain young men on my aeroplane in advance and could have stopped our flight from landing in Kuwait. 'Do I want money? No. I just want an apology.' While who knew what and when is a matter of debate, what can't be denied is that Flight 149 should not have landed in Kuwait City on August 2, 1990. There had been tension between Kuwait and Iraq, both British allies at the time, for a number of months because Saddam could not pay the millions he'd borrowed from his neighbour to fund a failed war with Iran. Tony Paice, an MI6 Agent at the British Embassy in Kuwait, warned the MoD that 'from an early stage they were going to invade'. For three decades the British government denied this, until in November 2021 it admitted the Foreign Office had been told that Kuwait was being attacked prior to Flight 149 landing. Perhaps if the take-off from Heathrow hadn't been delayed due a fault with the plane's auxiliary unit, it might have made it out before the shooting started. Arriving late on the flight, the final destination for which was supposed to be Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, was a group of ten 'fit young men' who all sat at the back of the plane. Clive recalls: 'When I went around with the boarding cards, they just sort of said, 'We won't need those'.' Having been the last on, they were the first off on the orders of the military officer that Clive met. He explains: 'When they came up to the front, they were escorted, not through the normal passenger arrivals channels, they went down the steps at the side of the aircraft with the military officer.' Rape and executions Soon after Clive had bigger things to worry about - namely the safety of his passengers and crew. With explosions in the city, they could no longer take-off and were taken on a bus to the opulent five star Regency Hotel. One of the BA stewardesses was raped by an Iraqi soldier during the bus journey, and Clive saw first hand how ruthless their captors were going to be. I would just like the government, namely the MoD and British Airways to admit that they knew about certain young men on my aeroplane in advance and could have stopped our flight from landing in Kuwait Clive Earthy He recalls: 'I went up to the Iraqi major in the hotel and said, 'This young lady thinks she's been attacked on the bus, here, from the airport'. 'And he instantly got the guards, who were escorting the bus, and brought them into the lobby. 'The Iraqi officer took out his gun and handed it to the stewardess to say, 'Shoot him', which upset the stewardess very, very much. 'And the steward, who pulled the Iraqi soldier off of her, was handed the pistol and he declined.' Clive was told that the rapist soldier was taken away and executed. Daring escape American passenger Deborah Saloom, 74, saw the horrors inflicted on the Kuwaiti population and feared they would be next. She says: 'We saw military men chasing men with their automatic weapons, we saw them rounding up people, we saw a man hanging from a rope from a communication pole.' Having been told that Kuwaiti staff were getting their families out of the country, Deborah and her husband B George, 77, decided to trick a bus driver into taking them to the US embassy. Deborah claimed she needed to go to the hospital, but on route revealed the truth. She was 'petrified' during the journey, with the driver having to find ways to avoid checkpoints. It proved to be the right decision because they were safe in the embassy while other passengers were taken to military sites around the country and used as 'human shields'. Clive was not the only one who thought he'd be shot. British passenger Barry Manners was told 'I'm going to kill you' by a guard who then fired a shot away from his head. Even worse, BA steward Charlie Kristiansson was raped by a male soldier. Charlie says in the documentary: 'He shot into the ground and said, 'Britain has raped Iraq and you are going to know what it feels like'.' The first Gulf War On August 2, 1990, tyrant Saddam Hussein ordered the invasion and brutal occupation of neighbouring Kuwait in a row over oil and loans. US President G W Bush put together a 39-nation coalition of 670,000 troops - the largest military alliance since World War II - to liberate Kuwait, with full backing from the United Nations. Bush said: 'Iraq will not be permitted to annex Kuwait. That's not a threat or a boast that's just the way it's going to be.' Britain sent 53,462 military personnel in its largest single deployment since WWII. It cost over £2billion with most of the tab picked up by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Some £200million of British kit was lost or written off. The coalition's efforts against Iraq were carried out in two key phases. The first, Operation Desert Shield, marked the military build-up from August 1990 to January 1991. Iraq was given an ultimatum to withdraw, with a deadline of January 15. The second, Operation Desert Storm, began with an aerial bombing campaign against Iraq on January 17, 1991, which lasted for five weeks. It ended with the American-led liberation of Kuwait on February 28, 1991, after the coalition launched a major ground assault into Iraqi-occupied Kuwait. There was a constant fear that Saddam would use his stockpile of chemical weapons against coalition troops. There were many false alarms but the Iraqi despot didn't repeat his chemical attack on the Kurds in Halabja in 1988 which killed as many as 5,000. Gulf War One was the first truly televised war with audiences astonished by the accuracy of a new generation of smart bombs and precision guided munitions. RAF man John Nichol adds: 'You had reporters on the ground filming aircraft taking off, and landing, which went live on air. 'It was astonishing and brand new. Journalists were living in the hotel with the aircrew and buying them beers.' One of the defining moments in British coverage was when the BBC's John Simpson breathlessly told the nation a cruise missile had just flown past his Baghdad hotel window and was "turning left at the traffic lights". The Flight 149 crew and passengers were among 3,000 foreign hostages described by Saddam as 'guests'. Gradually, under international pressure, the dictator started to release women, children and the sick. B George was told there was a scheme for people with Arab heritage, which he had, to get out of Kuwait. He signed up for the scheme, but it was just a 'trick' to get him out of the safety of the embassy in November 1990. B George is tearful as he recalls in a Zoom call: 'They interrogated me. They put a gun to my head and told me they would take me to the desert and shoot me.' 'The penny dropped' Clive was taken to the city of Mosul in northern Iraq, where six men from the British garrison in Kuwait were also being held. Saddam hoped that the United States and the United Kingdom would not attack his country if their citizens were there. The British soldiers made a surprising revelation to Clive. He reveals: 'A couple of them told me, 'We knew Flight 149 was coming in on the 2nd of August.' "They said, 'London, MoD presumably, had told us, meet Flight 149 at the airport and escort off the men, military men, who were to do work in and around Kuwait'. 'And of course that was when the penny dropped. All of a sudden, everybody knew that there was military on my flight. Everybody except us.' All hostages were released on December 6, 1990 after 126 days in captivity. Six weeks later Kuwait was liberated in Operation Desert Storm, when British and US troops attacked Saddam's forces. 14 A search for answers In the aftermath of that victory, the suffering of the human shields has largely been forgotten. But they are still determined to find out why they were put in harm's way. An anonymous member of the black-ops team later claimed that he was on Flight 149. Clive, who worked for British Airways for 34 years before retiring in 1994, has been told by sources in the air industry that only one person could have ordered an SAS team to land in a war zone on a passenger flight. He says: 'They said, 'We think there's only one person who could authorise that sort of thing to go straight away, and that must be the Prime Minister, Maggie Thatcher '.' Thatcher, who died in 2013, denied there was a covert operation and all governments since have maintained there was no cover-up. But with the lawyers bringing legal action claiming they have new evidence, this story is not over yet. Flight 149: Hostage of War is on Sky Documentaries and Now TV on June 11. 14 14 14
