Antigua PM urges subsidies for Africa–Caribbean flights

Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne has appealed to regional governments to provide financial support for new air links between Africa and the Caribbean until the routes are strong enough to stand on their own.

Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show after returning from the Africa–Caribbean Summit in Addis Ababa, Mr Browne said discussions are underway with Ethiopian Airlines, Ghana Air and AP to launch at least one weekly service. He noted that Antigua and Barbuda has already committed to underwrite part of the cost, but stressed that a coalition of states is needed to ensure the flights are sustainable in their early stages.

He explained that subsidising African carriers would be consistent with the support already provided to European and American airlines operating in the Caribbean. “We should be magnanimous enough to give some support to any African airline that would be willing to offer that weekly service,” he said, adding that Ethiopian Airlines’ large fleet makes it a prime candidate.

Mr Browne argued that such links would serve as more than passenger routes. Direct flights could facilitate the movement of goods, open new markets and increase trade flows, which he described as “negligible” despite Africa and the Caribbean together representing about 20 per cent of the world’s population.

The Prime Minister also linked improved air connectivity to academic and cultural collaboration, including joint research between universities, student exchanges and African investment in the Caribbean. “If we’re able to move people and we have that type of air connectivity, we can also move goods,” he said.

He expressed hope that the first flights could begin in 2026, marking a “symbolic and strategic” step in deepening Africa–Caribbean relations.

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