Antigua and Barbuda and Panama Sign Air Services Agreement

Antigua and Barbuda and the Republic of Panama have signed an air services agreement aimed at expanding and facilitating air travel between and beyond the two countries.

The agreement, concluded through an exchange of Diplomatic Notes between the two countries, was signed on 28th September 2026 by the Honourable H. Charles “Max” Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transport and Investment of Antigua and Barbuda and by Mr. Rafael Barcenas Chiari, Director General of the Civil Aeronautical Authority of the Republic of Panama.

Under the agreement, airlines from both countries enjoy route rights into each other’s territory as well as so-called fifth freedom rights allowing them to transport passengers from third countries enroute to and from both countries.

Speaking following the signing of the agreement, Minister Fernandez noted that the agreement offered important opportunities for Antigua and Barbuda airlines, passengers and tourism stakeholders to benefit from the extensive Panama aviation gateway with its strong levels of connectivity to destinations throughout Central and south America. He pointed to Panama’s role as a major commercial, financial and shopping destination and noted the opportunities which this agreement presented for expanding commercial and other relations at a time when traditional trading and commercial markets were experiencing challenges.

Minister Fernandez noted that at the same time the agreement also opened the growing Antigua and Barbuda tourism market to traffic from Panama and neighboring countries, further consolidating Antigua and Barbuda’s role as a primary tourism destination and aviation hub in the Eastern Caribbean. Minister Fernandez indicated that at least one Antigua and Barbuda airline had already expressed interest in operating services between Antigua and Barbuda and Panama.