Antigua and Barbuda citizens could soon benefit from faster immigration clearance at V.C. Bird International Airport through an upgraded ArriveAntigua system.

The initiative is being developed jointly by the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority and the Immigration Department as part of efforts to modernise passenger processing at the country’s main international airport.

During the initial phase, expedited immigration processing will be available exclusively to citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.

Under the proposed system, eligible travellers will be able to complete immigration requirements electronically and use automated technology to verify their passports and identities when arriving in or departing from the country.

The government expects the enhanced system to reduce the amount of time citizens spend waiting to clear immigration, particularly during peak travel periods when several international flights arrive within a short period.

Cabinet said automating routine immigration checks should also allow immigration officers to devote more attention to passengers whose circumstances require additional screening or examination.

The initiative forms part of a wider effort to use technology to improve efficiency at V.C. Bird International Airport while maintaining immigration and border-security requirements.

The government has also stressed that appropriate safeguards must be incorporated into the system to protect travellers’ personal and passport information.

However, there is uncertainty over when the enhanced ArriveAntigua system will officially become operational.

Cabinet notes outlining the initiative provide two different implementation dates. One section indicates that the system is expected to be operational by September 30, while another states that implementation is expected by November 1.

It was therefore not immediately clear which date represents the government’s current target for launching the new immigration processing system.

Once introduced, the first phase will focus on Antigua and Barbuda citizens, with the automated process intended to provide a quicker alternative to conventional immigration clearance at V.C. Bird International Airport.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Faster Airport Immigration Clearance Planned for Antiguan and Barbudan Citizens.