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?