BASSETERRE, St Kitts – TOURISM Minister Marsha Henderson confirmed during a press conference Today (May 28) that the government is currently in discussions with another airline to fill the gap that will be left by Caribbean Airlines’ impending withdrawal from St Kitts and Nevis.
The Trinidad and Tobago state-owned carrier has been facing major financial challenges over the past year, with rising global fuel prices linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran significantly impacting operations. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has contributed to increases in the cost of Brent crude oil and other commodities.
As a result, the Trinidad and Tobago government decided to discontinue the airline’s service to St Kitts and Nevis after the route recorded losses exceeding US$1.6 million.
Speaking at a press conference at the St Kitts Marriott Resort, Minister Henderson revealed that the government was not consulted before Caribbean Airlines made the announcement.
“There were no discussions,” Henderson stated, noting that no concessions could therefore have been offered to the airline before the decision was taken.
Despite the development, the minister assured the public that the Federation will not be left without regional connections.
“We do have alternative services to those routes, so I don’t think we are left without an alternative,” she said.
While declining to identify the airline currently in discussions with the government, Henderson indicated that efforts are being made to restore direct connectivity between St Kitts and Trinidad and Tobago.
“We already have lifts to Barbados via InterCaribbean and Winair, with onward connections possible through the same carriers if persons wish to travel to Trinidad or Guyana,” she explained.
“However, we are in discussions — and I can’t say with whom just yet — with one of our partners to service the route onward to Trinidad. I can tell you that it’s not always what it appears.”
Henderson also suggested that factors beyond ticket sales and route profitability may have influenced Caribbean Airlines’ decision.
“While a lot is being said about the cost of servicing the routes, there are other dynamics involved in the decision taken — things above my pay grade,” she said.
The minister stressed the importance of the southern Caribbean market to St Kitts and Nevis’ tourism sector, particularly Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, which continue to be key source markets for travel to the Federation.
She noted that maintaining strong regional connections remains a priority for the government.
“Currently, we don’t have a direct connection to Trinidad, but we do have direct connections to Barbados with onward connections to either Guyana or even Trinidad by existing carriers,” Henderson added. “We are in discussion to have direct connection to Trinidad, and the person can be eager and excited to come on board and partner with us."
Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Eli Zakour, recently told Parliament that a review conducted by Caribbean Airlines’ Route Oversight Committee found that several routes introduced under the airline’s 2023 expansion programme were not financially sustainable.
As a result, Caribbean Airlines moved to discontinue service to St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica effective June 1. The St Kitts route was launched in 2023, while flights to Dominica began last year.
Zakour had told the National Assembly that the St Kitts route recorded losses of more than US$1.65 million as of April this year, while the Dominica route generated losses of approximately US$730,000 during the same period.
The minister also revealed that the nonstop Guyana-to-Suriname service suffered losses totaling US$1.24 million. Additionally, Caribbean Airlines will reduce flights to the French overseas territories of Martinique and Guadeloupe.
“That review has confirmed that several routes launched under the 2023 expansion programme were introduced without adequate commercial justification and have generated sustained financial losses for the company since inception,” Zakour said.
The Jamaica-to-Fort Lauderdale route, discontinued in November last year, generated losses of US$7.2 million. Meanwhile, the Trinidad-to-Puerto Rico service, which ended in January, recorded losses of US$4.92 million.
Zakour added that, as of April 2026, the affected routes collectively recorded losses exceeding US$18.84 million, equivalent to more than TT$128 million.
