Kurt Menal Appointed CEO of Antigua’s VC
Kurt A.G. Menal has been named chief executive officer of Antigua and Barbuda’s VC Bird International Airport and officially assumed the role on August 1, 2026, the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority announced (reported by Guavaberry and Antigua.news). The appointment follows an extensive recruitment process; Menal leaves the British Virgin Islands Airports Authority after a sudden departure in May and brings nearly two decades of regional airport leadership and professional credentials to his new post.
Menal has been appointed chief executive officer of VC Bird International Airport in Antigua and Barbuda, the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority announced, with the appointment effective August 1, 2026 (Guavaberry; Antigua.news). The authority said Menal was selected following "an extensive recruitment process spanning several months," and the board expressed confidence that his experience will guide VC Bird through its next phase of growth and development (Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority statement cited by Guavaberry and BVI News).
Board chairman Rolston Potter praised Menal’s strategic vision, regional experience and collaborative leadership style, saying the board felt he was "exceptionally well suited to lead the Authority into its next phase of growth," a comment reported by BVI News and Guavaberry. Menal most recently served as Managing Director of the British Virgin Islands Airports Authority (BVIAA) from 2022 until his sudden departure in May 2026.
During his time with the BVIAA he oversaw the territory’s three airports and led initiatives to strengthen operational performance, improve regulatory compliance and expand commercial activity to support the tourism-based economy (BVI News; Virgin Islands News Online). BVI News credited his tenure with helping expand air connectivity in the BVI, including supporting the launch of direct American Airlines service between Miami and Terrance B.
Observers in the Territory noted at the time that his abrupt exit left the BVIAA facing a leadership transition while air connectivity remains vital to tourism, business travel and emergency access (BVI News; Virgin Islands News Online). Media reporting in May cited a public statement from Menal that he resigned for the sake of his "personal and professional wellbeing" (Virgin Islands News Online).
Other accounts have noted the circumstances around his early departure were not fully disclosed, prompting public discussion and speculation (Guavaberry). Before his appointment in Antigua, Menal held senior management roles with the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, where his leadership was credited with improving operational efficiency and reinforcing safety and security standards in line with international aviation norms (BVI News; Guavaberry).
The Antigua authority said he brings nearly two decades of leadership experience in airport management, strategic planning and civil aviation across the Caribbean. Menal’s professional credentials include a Master of Science in Air Transport Management, designation as an International Airport Professional through Airports Council International’s Global Airport Management Professional Accreditation Programme, and status as a Chartered Director, qualifications the authority said reflect his commitment to airport leadership, strategic governance and executive management (BVI News; Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority).
For BVI residents and stakeholders, Menal’s move represents the loss of a senior aviation manager with extensive regional experience and will require the BVIAA to manage a leadership transition at an important time for the Territory’s aviation sector. The appointment also underlines the tight market for experienced aviation leaders in the Caribbean and may prompt renewed attention to succession planning and staff development within regional airport authorities (BVI News; local observers).
Reporting on Menal’s appointment was carried by Virgin Islands News Online, BVI News, Antigua.news and Guavaberry; this update incorporates new confirmation that he officially assumed the Antigua role on August 1 and additional context about his departure from the BVIAA.
Primary source: VINO