Newly appointed Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party Junior Minister in the Ministry of Tourism Michael Freeland joined regional officials on Friday in praising Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s vision for LIAT Air, as the airline officially launched its inaugural service between Antigua and Guadeloupe.

Freeland made the remarks during a ceremony in Guadeloupe following the arrival of LIAT Air’s inaugural flight, describing the new route as a major milestone in strengthening regional connectivity and Caribbean integration.

LIAT Air Chief Executive Officer Hafsah Abdulsalam & Junior Tourism Minister Michael

Speaking on behalf of the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda, Freeland thanked Guadeloupean officials for their warm welcome and emphasized the importance of the new air link between the two islands.

“Today’s inaugural flight is not simply about a rapidly growing airline adding yet another new route. This is a symbol of something far more profound: increasing the connections and bonds within our Caribbean family,” he said.

Freeland said the route reflects Antigua and Barbuda’s ambition to position itself as a regional hub connecting cultures, economies and people throughout the Caribbean.

(l-r) – Rep from Guadeloupe, LIAT Air Chief Executive Officer Hafsah Abdulsalam, Junior Tourism Minister Michael Freeland, Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Colin James

“For Antigua and Barbuda, this route to Guadeloupe is also a statement of purpose. We are building our islands as a hub, a bridge between the islands, between cultures, between economies,” he stated.

The junior tourism minister also applauded Prime Minister Gaston Browne for his commitment to rebuilding LIAT and ensuring the airline’s continued expansion despite challenges facing regional aviation.

“As Prime Minister Browne has said, LIAT Air will be a net economic contributor to the Caribbean, not despite the challenges ahead, but because of the determination behind it,” Freeland said.

During his remarks, Freeland reflected on LIAT’s historical significance to the Caribbean, noting that generations of Caribbean families depended on the airline for travel, business and connection.

“For over sixty years, the original LIAT served the Caribbean. It transported our families, our students, our business people. It connected us when no one else would,” he said.

LIAT Air Launches New Guadeloupe Service, Strengthening Caribbean Connectivity

He added that the restructured LIAT Air is now operating from a position of greater financial strength and stability, with substantial investments helping to support its regional expansion.

“With hundreds of millions of Eastern Caribbean dollars invested into this venture, LIAT Air is now one of the best-capitalized airlines operating in the Caribbean today,” Freeland declared.

LIAT Air Launches New Guadeloupe Service, Strengthening Caribbean Connectivity

Freeland also praised LIAT Air Chief Executive Officer Hafsah Abdulsalam for leading what he described as a new era for the airline, focused on reliability, quality service and regional development.

The Antigua-based carrier officially commenced twice-weekly service to Guadeloupe on Friday, marking another step in its efforts to rebuild and expand regional air travel connections across the Caribbean.