Caribbean-based regional airline LIAT is paving the way for more interconnected island travel, as Chief Executive Officer Hafsah Abdulsalam revealed the carrier is in early discussions over a strategic partnership with major regional ferry operator L’Express Des Iles. The announcement came during a celebratory event marking the launch of LIAT’s brand-new twice-weekly air route between Antigua and Guadeloupe, which commenced commercial service on Friday.
When questioned about collaboration plans with the Guadeloupe-headquartered ferry firm — which already moves thousands of travelers annually between multiple Caribbean island destinations — Abdulsalam confirmed preliminary conversations have already gotten underway. The core goal of the proposed alliance, she explained, is to integrate LIAT’s air networks with L’Express Des Iles’ established sea routes to create a more cohesive regional transportation ecosystem.
LIAT’s leadership sees untapped potential in combining air and sea travel options to cut down on travel friction for visitors and local residents alike. Abdulsalam noted that L’Express Des Iles already operates well-developed ferry connections from Guadeloupe to popular destinations including Dominica and St. Lucia, infrastructure that LIAT could leverage as it scales up its regional footprint. “We’re trying to tap into that market,” she added, framing the partnership as a natural extension of LIAT’s mission to improve cross-island connectivity.
If the partnership moves forward, travelers across the Eastern Caribbean stand to benefit from far more seamless multi-destination itineraries, eliminating the logistical headaches that often come with mixing separate air and sea bookings. Beyond improving passenger experience, the integrated network is also expected to drive growth for two key pillars of the regional economy: tourism and cross-border commerce, by making it easier for visitors to explore multiple islands and for local businesses to move people and goods more efficiently.
Friday’s inauguration of the Antigua-Guadeloupe route marks a key milestone in LIAT’s regional expansion strategy. The new route will operate two flights per week between the two island nations, creating more reliable and frequent travel options for passengers connecting through Antigua’s regional hub and exploring Guadeloupe’s cultural and tourist offerings.