LIAT Is in Our DNA, Says Minister Fernandez

Tourism and Aviation Minister Charles Max Fernandez has emphasized the deep-rooted connection between the Caribbean people and LIAT, calling the airline “part of our DNA.”

Speaking on the airline’s significance to the region, Fernandez noted that “just about every family, especially in the OECS, has had some relative that worked with LIAT.” This cultural and familial tie, he explained, is what made the return of LIAT so emotionally significant for many.

“When we landed in Barbuda and St. Lucia, the scenes were the same—crowds gathered, phones out, recording the landings. It wasn’t just about an airline returning; it felt like a relative that had been given up on was finally coming back,” he said, recalling the heartwarming reception LIAT received across the region.

Fernandez also touched on the ongoing battle among Caribbean nations to position themselves as the key aviation hub for the region.

“There’s fierce competition within the region. Every island is working hard to position themselves as the next major hub for airlift,” he explained. Fernandez believes Antigua is well-placed in this race, with its natural geographic advantage and infrastructure, such as jet bridges, giving it an edge.

“Antigua is blessed with a position right between North and South America, and now with LIAT’s revival and other airlines like Sunrise planning to establish their maintenance offices here, we are strengthening our place as a major hub,” he added.

Fernandez’s remarks underscored the significance of LIAT’s revival not only for Antigua and Barbuda but also for the region’s broader aviation landscape.

The airline’s return is seen as a critical asset in Antigua’s bid to maintain its dominance as a key gateway in the Caribbean.

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