Aviation Power Players Convene in Bermuda to Solve Caribbean Connectivity Crisis
High-ranking tourism ministers and airline executives are set to descend on the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club later this month for a high-stakes summit aimed at fixing the region's fragmented air access.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Air Connectivity Summit, scheduled for February 24, 2026, arrives as a critical component of the "Reimagine Plan," a strategic initiative designed to bolster sustainable growth through improved flight networks.
The summit, titled “Integrating Aviation and Regional Tourism Development,” serves as a rare bridge between the public and private sectors. CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper emphasized that the gathering is designed to move beyond talk and into alignment and action. By bringing together the architects of regional infrastructure and the leaders of global carriers, the event aims to streamline how the Caribbean connects with international markets and its own neighboring islands.
Bermuda serves as a strategic backdrop for the talks, following the successful launch of its local carrier, BermudAir. Local officials intend to use the island’s modern infrastructure and year-round tourism model as a case study for economic resilience. The agenda is packed with heavy hitters, including top brass from American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Virgin Atlantic, who will participate in "Airside Chats" regarding route development and long-haul service.
Data will play a central role in the negotiations, with ASM Global Route Development set to present a comprehensive Air Connectivity Study. This data-driven analysis is expected to highlight regional trends and identify gaps in intra-Caribbean routes. Industry veterans will scrutinize these findings to determine how to better integrate aviation policy with tourism goals, ensuring that the "runway to resort" transition is seamless for travelers.
A dedicated Ministerial Panel will feature deputy prime ministers and tourism chiefs from St. Lucia, Sint Maarten, Antigua and Barbuda, and Barbados. These policymakers face the daunting task of balancing taxation, regulatory hurdles, and security requirements that often stifle regional travel. Their dialogue will focus on creating regional skies that are more accessible, potentially lowering the barriers that have historically made inter-island travel prohibitively expensive.
The summit will also explore the intersection of cruise tourism and aviation, with Carnival Corporation executives discussing the vital link between homeporting and flight capacity. Furthermore, leaders from the Airports Council International and SITA will address the role of digital identity and airport modernization in enhancing the visitor experience. This holistic approach aims to ensure that infrastructure upgrades keep pace with the demand for inclusive travel.
The event concludes with a roadmap for the future led by Rosa Harris, Chair of the CTO’s Airlift Committee. As the Caribbean faces increasing competition from other global markets, the outcome of these sessions will likely determine the region's competitiveness for the remainder of the decade. The goal remains a unified, connected Caribbean that can sustain long-term economic development through a more robust aviation sector.
