Tourism and Aviation Minister Charles Max Fernandez highlighted the familial connection between Antiguans, many other Caribbean islanders, and LIAT, dubbing the airline a fundamental part of the region’s identity. He noted that “almost every family, particularly in the OECS, has had a family member work for LIAT,” illustrating the airline’s deep integration into Caribbean culture. Fernandez emphasized that the emotional significance of LIAT’s comeback was obvious, describing the scenes at airports in Barbuda and St. Lucia where locals eagerly captured the airline’s return on their phones, treating it like a long-lost family member’s homecoming.
Fernandez also discussed the competitive landscape for becoming the Caribbean’s leading aviation hub, where each island nation is striving to outdo the others. He believes Antigua holds a strategic advantage due to its central location and enhanced infrastructure, including jet bridges, positioning it favorably amidst regional competition. With LIAT’s resurgence and plans by airlines like Sunrise Airways to establish maintenance facilities in Antigua, the island is fortifying its status as a pivotal aviation hub.
Hafsah Abdulsalam, CEO of LIAT 2020, announced St. Vincent and the Grenadines as the airline’s new southern Caribbean hub during a celebratory event for LIAT’s first flight to the island. This decision was influenced by strategic considerations and the strong support from St. Vincent’s government and airport authorities. The new hub is not only aimed at enhancing passenger travel but also at bolstering cargo transport, business connections, and educational exchanges, fostering greater integration among Caribbean islands.
Abdulsalam expressed optimism about the future, stating that this expansion aligns with LIAT’s vision to build a robust inter-regional network, with St. Vincent playing a crucial role in the airline’s southern expansion strategy. She concluded by calling for sustained support from the community as LIAT sets up its operations in St. Vincent, aiming for long-term service to the Caribbean people.
This development underscores not only LIAT’s pivotal role in regional connectivity but also the broader competition among Caribbean nations to establish themselves as key aviation centers, influencing the economic and cultural landscape of the region.
