LIAT Air has officially launched twice-weekly flights between Antigua and the French territory of Guadeloupe, marking a significant step in the airline's regional expansion and its renewed mission to reconnect the Caribbean.
Flight 5L461 departed V.C. Bird International Airport on Friday morning bound for Pointe-à-Pitre, returning later that day with 18 passengers onboard. The seasonal service will operate twice weekly, timed to coincide with major events and peak travel demand across both islands.
The inaugural flight received a warm welcome in Guadeloupe, where airport officials framed the launch as more than a new air route. "Today we celebrate the inaugural flight of LIAT Air between Antigua and Pointe-à-Pitre," one airport representative declared at the welcome ceremony. "Your presence is a symbol of the trust we place in this new chapter of regional connectivity."
Officials described the service as a "vital air bridge" and a "strategic gateway" offering Guadeloupe stronger direct access to the wider Caribbean through LIAT's growing network. "We wish LIAT Air a long journey. Long live LIAT Air," the official added, drawing applause from attendees.
LIAT Air Chief Executive Officer Hafsah Abdulsalam called the new route a historic milestone. "We are excited and pleased on behalf of my team and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda," she said. "This is a key milestone on our journey in seeking to connect the Caribbean collaboratively."
Abdulsalam said the Antigua–Guadeloupe service opens new avenues for travel, commerce and cultural exchange between the English-speaking and French-speaking Caribbean. "This new connection offers the opportunity to connect one Caribbean family," she stated. "It extends the LIAT network into the French Caribbean while strengthening connectivity throughout the OECS."
She added that LIAT continues to play a critical role in regional transportation, particularly for islands with limited direct travel options. "We share the same history, the same struggles and the same aspirations as Caribbean people, and we are proud to help reconnect our region. This is only the first step toward something historic."
Junior Tourism Minister Michael Freeland, representing Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez at the ceremony in his first official assignment since his appointment, described the launch as a defining moment for aviation and regional identity.
"Today's inaugural flight is not simply about a rapidly growing airline adding another route," Freeland said. "This is a symbol of something far more profound, increasing the connections and bonds within our Caribbean family."
Freeland spoke to Antigua and Barbuda's ambition to become a major regional hub. "For Antigua and Barbuda, this route to Guadeloupe is a statement of purpose. We are building our islands as a bridge between people, between cultures and between economies."
He tied stronger air connectivity directly to economic opportunity. "When our planes fly, our hotels fill, our entrepreneurs earn, and our young people see opportunity," he said.
Freeland also highlighted LIAT's deep emotional resonance across the region. "LIAT is part of our DNA. Almost every family in the OECS and Guadeloupe has a story connected to LIAT — a relative who worked there, a student who traveled on it, a reunion made possible because of LIAT."
Reflecting on the collapse of the former LIAT airline, Freeland said many feared regional aviation had suffered an irreversible blow. The new LIAT Air, he argued, has emerged more financially robust. "With hundreds of millions of Eastern Caribbean dollars invested, LIAT Air is now one of the best-capitalized airlines operating in the Caribbean today. That financial strength means stability for employees, travelers and economies that depend on reliable regional air travel."
Colin James, Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, also welcomed the restored connection. "For years we have spoken about the loss of connectivity to Guadeloupe," he said. "It always felt strange that we were so close geographically, yet so far away in terms of direct travel."
James said the route is expected to boost tourism, business travel and cultural exchange, while creating opportunities for multi-destination travel packages. "This service creates opportunities for weekend travel, cultural experiences, sporting events, festivals and business development between our islands. Connectivity is the lifeblood of Caribbean tourism, and this route helps strengthen that lifeline."
The new Antigua–Guadeloupe service forms part of LIAT Air's broader strategy to rebuild and expand intra-Caribbean travel following years of diminished regional air connectivity.
