BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - LINKING the Federation to the rest of the region will soon became a little easier as Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Marsha Henderson confirmed the longstanding rumour that InterCaribbean Airways would service the twin- island nation.
Citizens and residents in St. Kitts and Nevis, like the rest of the region, have complained about the number of airlines servicing the region and the cost to travel, but the addition of the airline will alleviate some of the challenges with moving around when it comes on stream on March 12.
According to Henderson, InterCaribbean would provide service between St. Kitts-Nevis and Barbados three times per week - Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays
“To remediate the intra-regional situation, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority has negotiated with InterCaribbean Airways to initiate service from Barbados and Puerto Rico into St. Kitts, affording travellers same day travel options with one-stop service to the wider Caribbean. Service out of the Grantley Adams International Airport,” Henderson said in a media statement while making the announcement recently.
InterCaribbean is only one of two carriers that service and connect the southern and northern Caribbean - with the other being Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines. The airline will utilize Embryo 1 to service St. Kitts, and it has a capacity seating of 30.
The addition of InterCaribbean to St. Kitts provides one-stop connectivity to Guyana, Grenada, Dominica St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines,
Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, raised concerns about intra-regional travel following his lengthy travel through the United States to the Bahamas for the 44th Head of Government Meeting.
Since the collapse of LIAT, residents in St. Kitts and Nevis have found it difficult and expensive to travel to the Southern islands to do business or for pleasure.
But the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party administration has sought to bring some level of relief to the problem, especially for those who would have to travel down to Barbados, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, a among others, to take care of their visa appointments.
“This development is undoubtedly significant for St. Kitts and Nevis and the entire region,” Henderson noted as she pledged the Government’s continued efforts to alleviate the challenges with which citizens and residents in the Federation are facing.
Aside from the personal implication of the new airlines, it will have significant economic benefits for the Federation, as it means more visitors to the islands and more taxes for the Government’s coffers.
Since the announcement by the Minister, it has receive commendations from various sections.
