St. Barths, or Saint Barthélemy, a small, French-speaking island in the Caribbean
January 17, 2025
GUSTAVIA, ST. BARTHS — With distinct pleasure Caribavia announces that the Honorable Minister Charles Fenandez of Antigua will join the aviation conference in St. Barths with a presentation. Mr. Fenandez is the Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investments.
Minister Fernandez recently delivered a sterling presentation at Berlin Economic Forum 2025 on Sustainable Investments in Tourism, emphasizing the pressing need for sustainable investment in tourism, highlighting Antigua and Barbuda’s pioneering approach to balancing economic prosperity with environmental conservation.
Minister Fernandez recently announced that Antigua and Barbuda has recorded a significant surge in private jet traffic, with arrivals doubling those of commercial flights in 2024, and highlighting the growing dominance of luxury aviation in the country’s air traffic. “The numbers clearly show that private jet travel is playing an increasingly important role in our aviation sector. This reflects Antigua and Barbuda’s appeal as a high-end destination and reinforces the need for continued investment in private aviation infrastructure.”
According to the report, with private jet arrivals consistently outpacing commercial traffic, Antigua and Barbuda is strengthening its position as a Caribbean hub for luxury aviation. The government continues to explore partnerships with private aviation operators and expand facilities to meet the needs of this growing market. The government has emphasized streamlined customs and immigration processes for private travelers, ensuring a seamless experience. Additionally, the planned 2,000-foot expansion of the Barbuda airport runway will further support the private aviation sector, allowing for larger aircraft to operate flights directly to the sister island. As the trend continues, Antigua and Barbuda’s emphasis on elite tourism and luxury travel could further cement its status as a leading destination for private aviation in the Caribbean.
“The numbers tell us that Antigua and Barbuda is not just a popular destination—it is a preferred choice for those flying private,” according to Minister Fernandez. “We are committed to ensuring that our infrastructure and services reflect this demand.”
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About CARIBAVIA
The CARIBAVIA Summit & Retreat will be held June 10-12, 2025, on St. Barths. CARIBAVIA is the most significant results and solutions-oriented communication platform on the subject of ‘airlift’ in the Caribbean region. Airlift is the common denominator of the interests of stakeholders in aviation, tourism, business development and investment industries. The conference has gained increased appreciation from international professionals and experts of the aviation, tourism and investment industries. CARIBAVIA 2025 provides networking and opportunities, showcases the breadth of existing technologies, ongoing research and development, as well as commercial and non-commercial activities. CARIBAVIA 2025 brings aviation, tourism and investment stakeholders as well as government decision makers together. The meeting is a unique enlightening experience with more core and less mass. Visit www.caribavia.org for more information.
