The government of Antigua and Barbuda is engaged in ongoing negotiations with a prospective fixed-base operator (FBO) as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s aviation and private jet services sector.
Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant confirmed Friday that discussions are advancing but said officials are not yet prepared to disclose the identity of the company involved.
“There have been further discussions,” Merchant said during the post-Cabinet briefing. “But as the discussions continue, the government believes that it would be premature to disclose who these principals are until everything has been finalized.”
He added that once negotiations are concluded, the public will be informed.
“Following that, the public will be made aware,” Merchant said.
The potential introduction of a new FBO operator could have implications for Antigua’s private aviation market, including expanded services for executive aircraft, improved ground handling capacity and enhanced amenities for high-net-worth travelers.
Fixed-base operators typically provide fueling, hangaring, aircraft maintenance and passenger services for private and corporate jets.
While Merchant did not provide details on the scope of the proposed arrangement, the confirmation signals continued government focus on aviation development and private sector investment tied to the country’s tourism and business travel industries.
Officials have indicated that discussions remain active, with further updates expected once agreements are finalized.
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Just wondering what part the venerable and esteemed Makeda Mikael will play in this. I hope this is not an attempt to bring in outsiders with local actors fronting for them, in order to take over the established and successful FBO operation long undertaken and operated by Makeda.
@ Audley Phillip,
Will the selection of the FBO operations be like the DDP? Following the selection, the public will be made aware.
What law allows the Cabinet to decide on the criteria?
Who determines the most qualified and the best value for Antigua and Barbuda?
What law allows the government not to provide details on the scope of the proposed arrangement
While you are allowed to wonder; among the questions is whether the current operator is delivering value for the people of Antigua and Barbuda.
Is there a contract that is expiring?
Is the current operator underperforming with regards to any contract to operate the current FBO?
On his radio/TV show with Eli Fuller, The Prime Minister accepted that the local people lacks ambition. That statement is an affront to his constituents as a Prime Minister.
Further, when the Prime Minister was offered ways in which the government can create policies to help locals he stated it would be unconstitutional.
Is it unconstitutional for the Cabinet and it’s The News to state what was the process utilized to identify candidates for new FBO operations?
Absolutely no mention of Barbuda airport with regards to the FBO.
This is not just about a single individual. The Byzantine process and government procurement methods have proven to be flawed and enable grafts
It’s about national politics and policies. When the proper laws and policies are in place, and followed; there will be no need to wonder about one individual.
Mekeda will play no part, as he has overplayed her card. She holds the best card in her hands but is not able because of her own doing to capitalize on this fortune that was dropped on her lap from the estate of R Allen Stanford. A more then US$25 million dollar property she is not able to turn into a profitable business. The rich people that are visiting our island with their private jets preferred to leave their jets out on the tarmac rather then to deal with her. Two of her sons that used to work with her and saw the potential of the business have decided to call it quit. Paul and Courtney have chosen to be employed elsewhere. And the strange thing is, the very same hangar was build by her son Stephen who at the time worked for Stanford as a project manager. Calvin Ayre has tried to purchase it but that deal didn’t go through either.
But Mekeda will always blame the government for her failures.
Some people need to understand that the Government, Which is any party in power, has the authority to handle with the business of the country as they see fit. They have that authority. Whether you like it or not, that is something else. They are elected to do just that. And that is why the opposition holds their feet to the fire when they make decisions that do not seem to be right at the time.
One such decision which the UPP made that seem to follow is until this day is the Car Park. Lots of Money was lost and to date we cannot complete this structure.
How you expect anyone like Makeda considering her color, to have anything to do with it? As you said she owns the land and has refused to cut it up. Maybe the new FBO people and the government will lease it all, but she sure not selling Antigua’s patrimony! That’s as it should be!
@Less We Forget formerly FROM THE SIDELINES you are wrong. Only in a dictatorship does a government do as they so choose. The reason why Antigua & Barbuda government and their Ruling Arms get away with such nonsense is because of a weak judiciary and a mentally enslaved people, and yes Antiguans are MENTALLY ENSLAVED for the most part.
Yes FROM THE SIDELINES. I keep hearing Jamaicans say “Antiguans soft, the Spanish say, Los Antiguos son unas perras sucias, the middle easterners say, dem dutty and chupit, expats and whitey say, they have such slave mentality.
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