In a significant development for regional aviation, Liat Air and Guadeloupe Maryse Condé International Airport have jointly announced the establishment of two new non-stop flight services from Pointe-à-Pitre. This strategic expansion reconnects Antigua while introducing a novel pathway to Montego Bay, Jamaica, substantially enhancing intra-Caribbean travel options and facilitating improved connections to international hubs in the United States and United Kingdom.
The relaunched Antigua route commences operations on May 1st, initially featuring two weekly rotations utilizing ATR 42 aircraft with 48-seat capacity. Service frequency will further intensify from July 2026 with the addition of two weekly flights employing Embraer ERJ 145 jets accommodating 50 passengers, establishing year-round connectivity.
Concurrently, the Montego Bay corridor launches during the first week of July, strategically timed to accommodate travelers attending Jamaica’s renowned Reggae Sumfest festival. This route will maintain two weekly rotations aboard Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft, operating consistently throughout the year.
Alain Bievre, Chairman of Guadeloupe Maryse Condé Airport’s Board, emphasized this development represents a pivotal advancement in the airport’s strategic diversification initiative. “The restoration of Antigua services and inauguration of Montego Bay connectivity constitute substantial progress in positioning our facility as an instrumental catalyst for Guadeloupe’s economic and tourism development,” Bievre stated, highlighting the coordinated efforts between airport authorities and local partners.
Liat Air CEO Hafsah Abdulsalam expressed enthusiasm regarding the network expansion, noting: “Reestablishing Antigua connectivity revitalizes essential inter-island linkages that strengthen familial bonds, stimulate economic exchange, and enhance cultural integration across the Caribbean region. Simultaneously, our new Montego Bay service creates seamless access to one of the Caribbean’s most dynamic tourism markets, benefiting both regional travelers and visitors from European gateways.”
The new routes offer distinct experiential opportunities for travelers. Antigua presents ideal short-stay possibilities with its picturesque bays, historic Shirley Heights overlook, vibrant marketplaces, and renowned pottery traditions. Montego Bay serves as the gateway to Jamaica’s diverse attractions, combining pristine beaches, energetic nightlife, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking natural landscapes ranging from coastal areas to the majestic Blue Mountains.
Tourism authorities have welcomed these aviation developments. Rodrigue Solitude, General Director of Guadeloupe Islands Tourism Board, noted: “Enhanced air connectivity consistently generates positive impacts for our archipelago by fostering not only tourism exchange but also deeper cultural, historical, and traditional interconnections. We anticipate continued expansion of regional network linkages to additional Caribbean destinations.”