Antigua Eyes Cargo Aircraft to Boost Regional Trade
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is moving to acquire a cargo aircraft as part of a broader strategy to enhance regional trade and improve food security.
The proposal, discussed during this week’s Cabinet meeting, is intended to strengthen the country’s role as a logistics hub for the movement of goods between South America and OECS member states. Officials say the aircraft will facilitate faster, more reliable transshipment of food and essential supplies, particularly from countries such as the Dominican Republic and Brazil.
Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant explained that the initiative is driven by global disruptions, including the war in Ukraine and rising shipping costs, which have underscored the need for more secure supply chains in the Caribbean.
“The Cabinet decided to focus its attention on South America,” Merchant said. “Ease of access by having this cargo aircraft… will ensure, in particular, food security.”
He added that the plan is in its initial stages and details regarding funding, airline operation, and aircraft specifications will be finalized in the coming weeks.
The government says it is leveraging its previous experience in aviation logistics—including its role in reviving LIAT—to support this new venture. While no timeline has been confirmed, officials indicated that implementation work is underway.
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The cowboys getting ready to ride?
Drugs must move.
That’s what I have been saying, that liat should be bringing cargo from Puerto Rico across the Caribbean, but as you can see the Caribbean government are scared to compete at American global corporation interest concerning FedEx and UPS, only so can liat be viable, LIAT should have a cargo dedicated only plane but I don’t think they will get approval from the USA . People should be able to move goods across the Caribbean as effective as next day service, if Gaston see this vision and espouse and bring it reality then I will commend hom.
That’s what I have been saying, that liat should be bringing cargo from Puerto Rico across the Caribbean, but as you can see the Caribbean government are scared to compete at American global corporation interest concerning FedEx and UPS, only so can liat be viable, LIAT should have a cargo dedicated only plane but I don’t think they will get approval from the USA . People should be able to move goods across the Caribbean as effective as next day service, if Gaston see this vision and espouse and bring it reality then I will commend him.
Is Liat a viable airline right now? Are they profitable? From what I observe being around the airport daily, InterCaribbean is the airline of choice for regional travelers along with Caribbean Airlines. If Sunrise airlines can get a proper airplane and not that small noisy one they will even be ahead of Liat. Liat is a shadow of its former self, most of the pilots and flight attendants are not even from the Caribbean but appears to be African, what’s up with that? How come the former pilots and flight attendants for Liat are not flying for them? I’ll be genuinely surprised if it last a couple more years.
I have said my peace when the story of buying a plane was first mentioned. Starting an airline whether a freight or commercial passenger airline is not just about buying the aircraft. The entire logistic and setup is so costly. And in my humble opinion we should start a new company with LIAT/20 to keep it separate from the passenger airline. Lets put our tax dollars their where we believe there is a market. Because Caribbean Airline will not sit still and watch us eating their cake. LIAT Cargo did very well, but the operating cost was very high. I would suggest to first invest in a business plan to see if it is at all feasable. We may be overlooking many things. Over the years I have listen to many peoples business Ideas and when you help them do a business plan and crunch the numbers, they loose all excitement. Numbers do not lie. I told Allen Stanford that Caribbean Star was a bad Idea, but he nevertheless pushed on, only because he wanted to please Lester Bird. Because of his anger with the Observer Newspaper he started Antigua Sun. And that too was a bad idea. I look at those wanting to become entrepreneurs and have ideas and only look at the bright sight. But when faced with the WSC they get discouraged. You always need a good business plan to tell you what you are getting into. Politicians do not like to look at the WCS because afterall they have nothing to lose. It’s not their money. That is why they should learn what happened to LIAT 1974. Does anyone think our Airport is profitable? Hell NO. But it’s taxpayers monies paying for it. What we did with the Cruise Port was the best thing that could ever happen to us. After I believe 20 years and we could not even pay back the loan. Just the interest. I wish we could do something like that with the airport. Jamaica did. Let someone else take the headache of finding the money to pay back the loan. We will enjoy their fruits when they bring lots of tourist here. We now have the airlift of Liat that we wanted. Now the headache is AirPeace to make it work.