Antigua and Barbuda's government is investigating the causes of the failure of Barbuda Airways (Barbuda Codrington), a joint venture between the state and Caribbean Helicopters (Antigua), The Antigua Observer has reported.

The start-up was originally planned to launch in 2017 using a Piper (twin piston) PA31-350 Chieftain initially. Operations were to have been taken over by two BN-2 Islanders, one owned by the government and the other by Caribbean Helicopters. The private partner was also to be responsible for the operation of both aircraft on shuttle flights between Antigua and Barbuda Codrington.

However, only one aircraft was purchased by the government. Caribbean Helicopters only leased the other unit and then, allegedly, used the parts from the government-owned piston aircraft to keep the other serviceable. Upon discovery of the scheme, the government ordered the airline to cease operations and repossessed the aircraft that, until then, had been operated by Caribbean Helicopters.

The Islander purchased by the government, V2-LGS, reportedly remains stored on Barbuda.