Antigua- Caribbean Air Cargo Distribution Centre by Makeda Mikael
In Aviation, logistics matter, and Antigua is by far the easiest location in the Caribbean chain of islands, for regional distribution of Cargo arriving by air and sea, to most of the small developing states.
Recently Antigua’s PM opined about acquiring an aircraft specifically for Cargo, and large enough to move goods across the Atlantic, connecting Africa to our region. Clearly the thought has progressed during the Heads of Government Meeting in Jamaica, to an increasingly progressive move to adopt as a Caricom proposal.
Before we find ourselves in another unplanned fiasco, our experts in Aviation and Commerce should be involved to advise the Governments.
Antigua currently hosts the world’s largest lease operator of Embraer (Brazilian) aircraft, and its Maintenance facility, the two most important and key components necessary to lift off an operation as envisaged. Further, leased aircraft is the new way of airline start-ups, especially in the developing world and small nation states like ours.
Rather than boast ownership of one or two aircraft with the humongous debt burden and increasing maintenance costs, engaging with a leased aircraft and maintenance contract is clearly the way to go.
Whereas the original plan re LIAT/Air Peace was designed for passenger movements, it makes sense to combine the Cargo component, and seek to establish Antigua as the Cargo distribution for both Air & Sea Cargo, thereby cutting costs to the smaller islands, increasing connectivity and lessening delivery delays.
But will our intellectually profound deliberations in Jamaica translate into action? Or will we be forced to wait and see some non-Caribbean/African mover & shaker move in with connections to replace national ownership, as happens when we wait too long?
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“Recently Antigua’s PM opined about acquiring an aircraft specifically for Cargo, and large enough to move goods across the Atlantic, connecting Africa to our region. Clearly the thought has progressed during the Heads of Government Meeting in Jamaica, to an increasingly progressive move to adopt as a Caricom proposal.”
Makeda, I’m so glad you picked up in it. Because things our prime minister do are only acknowledge when they come from another prime minister’s mouth. Such as the Hon. Mia Mottley. Praised by some here at home for her leadership, while in Barbados the people are crying about the austerity measures. But our PM. As the saying goes, A king has no honor in his own country. But you are one that should position your company to benefit from all of these opporturnities that are coming. The government needs private business people like you. Let your property work for you. It has great potentials. Built warehouse space on your property because it will be needed.
And thank you for a well written article in which you put forward ideas for the government to take in consideration.
I do agree that liat and others should have a cargo plane to move cargo, but if you notice the silence of Gaston or these politicians, they can’t dare mention connecting cargo from Puerto Rico or Miami, because they dare not challenge American global corporations,so you will hear them saying Africa and Columbia which is good, but they have to tip toe around FedEx and DHL and UPS and Amerijet, so the entire is doomed to fail. The system of politics does not exist within this Caribbean space to challenge white hegemony over the economy.
@Eldread July 10, 2025 At 1:46 pm
What is it you do not understand. The government is trying to establish new routes. Where there are none. There are enough Air Cargo Routes operated by FedEx, DHL, Amerijet and others. No need for government to exploit these route. Brazil and Africa are new routes that our hesitant business men and women do not want to explore. As they say we are risk averse. So government has to take the risk. And may it work out well so that the private sector can take over.