Prime Minister Gaston Browne has linked the anticipated arrival of a direct Emirates flight from Dubai to the completion of the ultra-luxury One & Only resort at Half Moon Bay, positioning the development as a catalyst for expanded global air connectivity.
According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the remarks while speaking on Pointe FM over the weekend, outlining a broad pipeline of luxury tourism investments currently underway across Antigua and Barbuda.
"As soon as that hotel is built out, we're told that we'll have an Emirates flight from Dubai into Antigua," Browne said, adding that "Antigua will become the Caribbean hub."
The Prime Minister described the One & Only resort as the "marquee" project in the current development pipeline, calling it an "ultra high-end luxury resort" expected to anchor the country's push into the top tier of global tourism.
Browne also provided updates on several other major projects. The Nobu Hotel in Barbuda — backed by actor Robert De Niro — will have its first phase completed by year's end and be "ready to receive occupants by first quarter of next year," he said. Investors in the PLH development in Barbuda have committed approximately one billion US dollars to that project, he added, with infrastructure works also now underway at Nikki Beach.
In Antigua, Browne said a high-end Marriott hotel at Yeptons "should be completed by the end of the year" and become operational in early 2026, further adding to the country's room stock.
The Prime Minister also disclosed that the former Rosewood property has secured a new luxury brand partner, with developers choosing to move the project forward rather than delay.
"They have actually negotiated with another luxury brand… and that project hopefully will start sometime this year," Browne said.
Beyond passenger routes, Browne indicated that discussions are ongoing to broaden airlift across multiple fronts, including cargo services and additional passenger connections.
"We have other initiatives — airlift initiatives with other entities that we're negotiating with," he said.
Browne framed the scale of current investment as a reflection of Antigua and Barbuda's rising international profile, noting that "Antigua… is a well-known destination now globally," as the government continues its pursuit of high-end developments aimed at transforming the tourism sector.
