BERLIN – In a landmark achievement for Caribbean aviation, Haitian airline Sunrise Airways and its founder Philippe Bayard have been distinguished with two prestigious international awards at the 2026 International Travel Awards. The ceremony, organized by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), took place during the World Tourism Leaders’ Summit at ITB Berlin, the globe’s premier travel industry gathering.
Bayard received both the Gold Award for Excellence in Airline Leadership – Caribbean and the Best Airline – Caribbean award, recognizing his company’s transformative impact on regional connectivity. This dual honor represents a significant milestone for the Haiti-based carrier, which has dedicated over a decade to developing air links throughout the Caribbean basin.
In his acceptance speech, Bayard emphasized the symbolic importance of this recognition: “These international awards stand as tremendous honors for Sunrise Airways and our dedicated teams who work daily to bridge Caribbean communities. As a Haitian-founded enterprise, we take particular pride in fortifying connections between our islands and diaspora populations. Our objective remains unequivocal: to foster a more interconnected, accessible, and unified region through our One Caribbean vision.”
Established in 2012, Sunrise Airways has transported approximately 1.85 million passengers across an expanding network that includes Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitien, Santo Domingo, Havana, Miami, and numerous other Caribbean destinations. The airline’s recent expansion into the Eastern Caribbean in April 2024 has further integrated Antigua, Saint Kitts, Dominica, and Saint Lucia into its operational framework.
The Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), founded in 1999, is an internationally recognized professional media organization and UN Tourism affiliate that promotes sustainable development within the global travel sector. Their endorsement signals growing international recognition for Caribbean-based aviation initiatives challenging traditional transportation barriers in the region.