Antigua-based carrier LIAT Air has officially launched twice-weekly flights between Antigua and the French territory of Guadeloupe, marking another major step in the airline’s aggressive regional expansion and renewed push to reconnect the Caribbean.

Flight 5L461 departed V.C. Bird International Airport Friday morning for Pointe-à-Pitre before returning later in the day with 18 passengers onboard. The seasonal service will operate twice weekly and is expected to coincide with major events and travel demand in both islands.

The inaugural flight was met with a warm reception in Guadeloupe, where airport officials hailed the launch as more than just a new air route, describing it as a powerful symbol of renewed regional cooperation and Caribbean unity.

“Today we celebrate the inaugural flight of LIAT Air between Antigua and Pointe-à-Pitre,” one Guadeloupe airport representative declared during the welcome ceremony. “Your presence is a symbol of the trust we place in this new chapter of regional connectivity.”

Officials described the new service as a “vital air bridge” and a “strategic gateway” that offers Guadeloupe stronger direct access to the wider Caribbean through LIAT’s expanding network.

They also praised the airline’s commitment to sustainable regional development and deeper Caribbean integration.

“We wish LIAT Air a long journey. Long live LIAT Air,” the official added to applause from attendees gathered at the ceremony.

“One Caribbean Family”

LIAT Air Chief Executive Officer Hafsah Abdulsalam welcomed the expansion of the airline’s footprint, saying the new route represents a historic step toward bringing Caribbean people closer together.

“We are excited and pleased on behalf of my team and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda,” Abdulsalam said. “This is a key milestone on our journey in seeking to connect the Caribbean collaboratively.”

LIAT Air Launches New Guadeloupe Service, Strengthening Caribbean Connectivity

She said the Antigua-Guadeloupe service creates new opportunities for travel, commerce and cultural exchange between the English-speaking and French-speaking Caribbean.

“This new connection offers the opportunity to connect one Caribbean family,” she stated. “It extends the LIAT network into the French Caribbean while strengthening connectivity throughout the OECS.”

Abdulsalam noted that LIAT continues to play a critical role in regional transportation, particularly among islands that often struggle with limited direct travel options.

“We share the same history, the same struggles and the same aspirations as Caribbean people, and we are proud to help reconnect our region,” she added. “This is only the first step toward something historic.”

“LIAT Is Part of Our DNA”

Junior Tourism Minister Michael Freeland, making his first official assignment since being appointed to the Ministry of Tourism, represented Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez at the ceremony.

Freeland described the launch as a defining moment not only for aviation but for regional development and Caribbean identity.

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

He emphasized Antigua and Barbuda’s vision of becoming a major regional hub linking islands, cultures and economies.

“For Antigua and Barbuda, this route to Guadeloupe is a statement of purpose,” Freeland declared. “We are building our islands as a bridge between people, between cultures and between economies.”

He said stronger air connectivity directly impacts tourism, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities across the region.

Junior Tourism Minister Michael Freeland

“When our planes fly, our hotels fill, our entrepreneurs earn, and our young people see opportunity,” he said.

Freeland also underscored the emotional connection many Caribbean families still have with LIAT after decades of service across the region.

“LIAT is part of our DNA,” he said. “Almost every family in the OECS and Guadeloupe has a story connected to LIAT, a relative who worked there, a student who traveled on it, a reunion made possible because of LIAT.”

Reflecting on the collapse of the former LIAT airline, Freeland said many believed regional aviation had suffered a fatal blow. However, he insisted the new LIAT Air has emerged stronger and better positioned for long-term success.

“With hundreds of millions of Eastern Caribbean dollars invested, LIAT Air is now one of the best-capitalized airlines operating in the Caribbean today,” he said.

“That financial strength means stability for employees, travelers and economies that depend on reliable regional air travel.”

“So Close, Yet So Far Away”

Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Colin James also welcomed the new service, saying the route restores a long-missing connection between two neighboring Caribbean territories.

“For years we have spoken about the loss of connectivity to Guadeloupe,” James said. “It always felt strange that we were so close geographically, yet so far away in terms of direct travel.”

He said the restored route is expected to benefit tourism, business travel and cultural exchange while opening new opportunities for multi-destination tourism packages between the islands.

James noted that Guadeloupe represents an important market for Antigua and Barbuda, particularly as regional tourism authorities continue efforts to encourage Caribbean nationals to explore neighboring islands.

Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Colin James

“This service creates opportunities for weekend travel, cultural experiences, sporting events, festivals and business development between our islands,” he said. “Connectivity is the lifeblood of Caribbean tourism, and this route helps strengthen that lifeline.”

The new Antigua–Guadeloupe route forms part of LIAT Air’s broader strategy to rebuild and expand intra-Caribbean travel following years of reduced regional air service.