OECS Airline Proposal Advances as Region Seeks to Restore Post-COVID Connectivity Levels

Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 17, 2026 (PMO) — Discussions are continuing among leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) on the establishment of a regional airline that could improve the movement of people and goods, strengthen trade and support economic growth throughout the subregion.

Prime Minister Hon.Dr. Terrance Drew provided an update on the proposal during the July 16 edition of the Prime Minister’s Round Table, noting that the regional airline concept has been discussed at both the OECS and Eastern Caribbean Central Bank levels.

According to Prime Minister Drew, inadequate and unreliable air transportation continues to limit trade, tourism, business development and the ability of Caribbean citizens to travel efficiently between neighbouring islands. “And so, if we can get a reliable airline to connect the countries in the OECs that can move goods and people, that in itself will have a tremendous economic impact,” Dr. Drew stated.

The Prime Minister noted that regional air transportation has not fully recovered from the severe disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Reduced flight availability, high fares and difficult connections continue to affect businesses, workers, students and families across the Eastern Caribbean.

“Because we know after COVID, airline transport within the region went down. It’s still not at pre-COVID levels, and that is affecting the economies negatively,” he said.

Prime Minister Drew indicated that any OECS-owned airline would have to be operated using sound commercial and management practices. The airline would be expected to serve the transportation needs of OECS member states while also providing connections beyond the subregion where feasible. “If we were to get an airline that we own, and we manage through, of course, sound management practices by you know an entity that can do that, and that flies through the OACS and beyond to serve the OACS fundamentally, I think we can see tremendous benefits as a result,” Dr. Drew said.

The proposed airline forms part of wider regional efforts to improve air and maritime connectivity. The OECS has previously identified harmonised regulations, improved airline cooperation, reduced barriers to travel, open-sky arrangements and more efficient security systems as important components of a stronger regional transportation network.

Prime Minister Drew also pointed to discussions surrounding regional ferry services, noting that improved maritime links could facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, manufactured goods and other commodities between CARICOM member states.

He said more efficient air and sea transportation would allow producers to access wider markets, reduce obstacles to trade and create new opportunities for tourism, agriculture, commerce and investment.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the commitment of St. Kitts and Nevis to working with its OECS and CARICOM partners to identify sustainable transportation solutions that advance regional integration and deliver measurable economic benefits for Caribbean people.

The post OECS Airline Proposal Advances as Region Seeks to Restore Post-COVID Connectivity Levels appeared first on SKNIS.