Amidst a turbulent global energy market triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, interCaribbean Airways is confronting significant operational challenges. This crisis emerges mere days after the airline celebrated the launch of five new nonstop routes from Barbados, marking a period of both expansion and adversity.
In an exclusive interview, Chairman Dr. Lyndon Gardiner addressed the timing of these concurrent events. “It’s extraordinary timing, frankly,” Gardiner acknowledged. “But I’ll tell you what hasn’t shifted – the need for Caribbean people to move. A mother in Trinidad still needs to get to Barbados. A businessperson in Guyana still needs to reach Kingston. Our job is to be there for it.”
The aviation executive elaborated on the practical implications of the fuel price spike, explaining that fuel constitutes the airline’s single largest operating cost, typically exceeding one-third of total expenses. Jet fuel prices have surged more than 40% since January, directly increasing the cost of every flight operation.
Gardiner emphasized the Caribbean’s particular vulnerability to these global shifts: “We operate across 24 destinations, and nearly all of our fuel is imported. When global supply tightens, we feel it immediately, before the large carriers, before hedging strategies kick in.” He further detailed how the complex logistics of shipping, storing, and uplifing fuel at each station add substantial costs even before engines start.
Despite these pressures, interCaribbean maintains its commitment to affordable regional travel. The airline avoids surge pricing models and includes one free bag – critical considerations for families transporting goods across islands. “We understand what regional travel actually is for Caribbean people,” Gardiner stated. “It is not a luxury. It is how families stay connected and how business gets done across this sea.”
Regarding the Barbados expansion, Gardiner positioned Bridgetown as a natural hub at the intersection of the Eastern and Southern Caribbean with infrastructure capable of supporting serious regional connectivity. The newly launched routes connect Barbados directly to Port of Spain, Sint Maarten, Tortola, and Georgetown, reducing dependency on routing through international hubs like Miami or London.
Gardiner’s message to Caribbean travelers remained resolute: “Travel. Don’t let uncertainty stop you from moving. This region has been through worse.” He referenced the airline’s operational continuity during COVID shutdowns and hurricane recoveries as evidence of regional resilience. “The world will keep shifting. That’s not new. What matters is whether this region can still move. We’re here to make sure it can.”
interCaribbean Airways currently operates scheduled services across 18 countries and territories, serving 24 destinations throughout the Caribbean. The airline recently launched three new nonstop routes from Grantley Adams International Airport, Barbados, on March 8-9, 2026.