BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — INTERCARIBBEAN Airways is ramping up operations across the region, aiming to address persistent regional connectivity challenges and further solidify its role as a key player in Caribbean aviation.
Among its major plans for 2025 is the anticipated launch of service into Trinidad and Tobago by November, entering a market long dominated by Caribbean Airlines.
During an interview with SKNVibes Business, InterCaribbean CEO Trevor Sadler reflected on a successful 2024 and outlined the airline’s growth strategy, which includes expanding its fleet and adding new destinations.
Over the past year, the airline transitioned several of its smaller Embraer 120 aircraft (30 seats) to larger ATR 42 and ATR 72 models. InterCaribbean has acquired 10 ATR aircraft in total — six are already in operation, with the remaining four expected to enter service shortly.
The airline is also enhancing its fleet with the addition of the Embraer 170 — a narrow-body, twin-engine jet that seats 76 passengers and offers significantly greater range than its predecessor, the Embraer 145.
“So we've acquired a fleet of those aircraft and we expect to begin to operate those in the fall of this year. What that does for us, though, as a company is it gives us a greater ability to operate longer range flights... (it)gives us an effective range of two times the travel distance, so that opens the door for us to begin to look at longer legs of connectivity across the region and in turn open the door to connect the region with points that are otherwise simply not connected today.”
Spotlight on St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts and Nevis remains one of InterCaribbean’s key destinations, and the airline recently celebrated its partnership with the Federation by branding an aircraft as the Spirit of St. Kitts and Nevis — a symbolic gesture underscoring its commitment to the island nation.
"Once we had completed the paperwork, the first flight this aeroplane operated was for us to ferry the aeroplane down to St. Kitts," Sadler said. "And we had the opportunity of inviting the Prime Minister and the whole government to a ceremony at the airport to welcome the aircraft. Two hours later, we operated its official first flight - it was a well choreographed moment."
He added that similar initiatives will be rolled out across the region over the next four to six weeks.
Building bridges across the Caribbean
InterCaribbean’s mission, according to Sadler, is rooted in improving regional connectivity. The airline currently serves destinations across all quadrants of the Caribbean — from Cuba in the west to Barbados in the east, and from Nassau in the north to Georgetown in the south.
Though not yet finalized, the airline is also working toward interline agreements with other carriers to allow for smoother connections and ticketing across different networks.
"There's a lot of space and water in between those points," Sadler noted. "But with a connective network we can realise connectivity across substantially much of that total environment."
The airline expects to launch service to five additional destinations in the second or third quarter of 2025.
Acknowledging operational challenges
Sadler acknowledged that, while the airline is expanding, it is not immune to challenges — particularly flight delays and disruptions.
"Continuous improvement is something that we look at internally and seriously all the time," he stated.
He emphasized that many delays are caused by external factors such as weather, which can create a cascading effect across their network. Still, the airline is committed to minimizing disruptions wherever possible.
Trinidad and Tobago launch set for November
Among its most anticipated moves is InterCaribbean’s entry into the Trinidad and Tobago market. The airline hopes to begin operations there by November, pending final regulatory approvals.
Despite Caribbean Airlines being state-subsidized, Sadler dismissed suggestions that this posed a regulatory hurdle.
“No, there's just a standard legal process that's adjudicated via the Civil Aviation Authority in each respective country," he explained. "So Civil Aviation in Trinidad has no concerns in that regard. We've shared in principle what we would like to do.”
With its growing fleet and expanding route map, InterCaribbean is quickly positioning itself as a leading regional carrier — one focused on connecting communities and bridging gaps left in the wake of LIAT’s collapse.
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