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  • Antigua and Barbuda Advances Plans for Spanish as Second Language

    Antigua and Barbuda Advances Plans for Spanish as Second Language

    The Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda is advancing a bold proposal to expand Spanish language education across all its primary and secondary schools, a plan that will require the recruitment of up to 20 additional qualified Spanish teachers over the coming years. The staffing requirement is a core component of the Education Sector Implementation Plan covering 2026 to 2030, a comprehensive policy document that Education Minister Daryll Matthew officially presented to the national Cabinet for review this Wednesday.

    Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing the following day, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant shared that preliminary demographic and program planning estimates point to a need for between 18 and 20 new teaching staff to fully launch and sustain the expanded initiative. To formalize this demand, the plan explicitly recommends the development of a targeted national staffing strategy that will outline recruitment pathways, qualification requirements, and employment terms for the incoming educators.

    Unlike a new introduction of Spanish to national schools, the initiative aims to build on an existing foundation: Spanish is already included as part of Antigua and Barbuda’s standard K-12 curriculum. The policy overhaul seeks to strengthen inconsistent existing instruction, standardize learning outcomes across all institutions, and build what government officials describe as a cohesive, equitable, and sustainable national Spanish education framework. A key priority of the plan is aligning local Spanish learning benchmarks with globally recognized language proficiency standards, ensuring that students graduate with skills that are validated and recognized internationally.

    The proposal addresses concerns about the status of other foreign language offerings, clarifying that French will retain its place as a core component of the country’s National Modern Language Programme. The plan’s explicit language reaffirms a commitment to expanding Spanish education while simultaneously preserving and protecting French language instruction for students who choose to study it.

    To support successful implementation, the Ministry of Education is also planning to pursue targeted technical assistance from international partners including Spain, the Dominican Republic, and other global language education stakeholders. This planned collaboration will focus on three key areas: ongoing professional development for current and new Spanish teachers, refinement of the national curriculum to meet updated standards, and logistical support for rolling out the programme across all schools over the multi-year timeline.

    The expansion is set to roll out gradually over a three-year period, with the speed of rollout adjusted to match individual schools’ readiness to adopt the new framework and the progression of student cohorts through the education system. As of Thursday, Cabinet has initiated its review of the policy brief but has not yet announced a final decision on approval.

  • Slow over-rate costs Windies after thrilling ODI win

    Slow over-rate costs Windies after thrilling ODI win

    A stunning, last-gasp two-wicket win for the West Indies over New Zealand in the decisive fifth One Day International has been overshadowed by an official penalty: the side has received a five percent match fee deduction for falling foul of international cricket’s over-rate regulations. The issue of slow over rates has dogged the West Indies men’s team in recent months, marking a persistent problem that has now resulted in formal disciplinary action despite the side’s positive result on the field.

    Played as a day-night fixture at Bridgetown’s iconic Kensington Oval on Tuesday, the final match of the five-game series delivered a dramatic climax, with the West Indies pulling off a late comeback to secure the win. However, the victory was not enough to overturn the series deficit, with New Zealand holding on to claim an overall 3-2 series win after taking four of the first five matches.

    Fresh off the ODI clash, the West Indies side is now making a swift transition to red-ball cricket, shifting all preparation to their upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan. The first Test of the series is scheduled to get underway this Saturday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, with the regional side looking to put the over-rate controversy behind them and focus on claiming a series win in the longer format.

    The penalty was handed down by Javagal Srinath, a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, the body responsible for overseeing on-field disciplinary matters in international cricket. Match officials ruled after the game that Shai Hope’s side finished the match one full over short of the required minimum over rate after accounting for standard time allowances built into match regulations.

    Under Article 2.22 of the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which outlines penalties for minimum over-rate violations, players face a five percent fine to their match fee for every over their side falls short of the required target in the allotted playing time. Team captain Shai Hope entered an immediate guilty plea to the offence and agreed to accept the proposed sanction, eliminating the need for a formal disciplinary hearing following the conclusion of the match.

  • Airport-to-River Dock Road in Barbuda to Be Completed Within Eight Weeks

    Airport-to-River Dock Road in Barbuda to Be Completed Within Eight Weeks

    The government of Antigua and Barbuda has unveiled a timeline for a key infrastructure upgrade on the island of Barbuda, announcing that construction on a critical two-mile roadway linking Barbuda’s international airport to River Dock will get underway in the near future, with a projected completion window of just eight weeks from the start of work.

    The announcement came Thursday via Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, who shared details following a Wednesday Cabinet meeting that included a progress briefing from Financial Secretary Rasona Davis-Crump and senior leadership from the Ministry of Works. The briefing focused heavily on the government’s island-wide national road improvement initiative, with particular focus placed on upgrade projects across Barbuda.

    “Cabinet was officially informed that the high-priority road connecting the airport to River Dock will commence shortly, and is scheduled to be finished within two months of breaking ground,” Merchant stated during the official post-Cabinet press briefing.

    While Merchant declined to name the selected construction firm or share an exact groundbreaking date, he confirmed that the chosen contractor already has a well-established footprint and proven operational track record across both Antigua and Barbuda. This local presence, he explained, is designed to streamline the mobilization of heavy construction equipment and skilled labor, eliminating unnecessary holdups that often delay infrastructure projects delivered by out-of-region firms.

    To further ensure project integrity, the government has appointed an independent third-party monitor to oversee every stage of construction. This monitor will be responsible for upholding accountability, maintaining full transparency throughout the process, and verifying that all work meets international and local engineering standards.

    The airport-to-River Dock upgrade is just one component of a broader infrastructure rehabilitation initiative covering multiple roadways across Barbuda. Collectively, these projects are targeted at boosting transportation connectivity for local residents and business operations, laying the physical groundwork for long-term economic and social growth across the smaller island of Antigua and Barbuda.

    The full national road programme across the country is backed by EC$100 million in bonds issued to a consortium of domestic financial institutions, paired with a US$33 million development loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). Merchant confirmed that all financing arrangements are moving forward according to schedule, a development that is expected to speed up road rehabilitation work across both Antigua and Barbuda.

    According to updates from the Financial Secretary shared with Cabinet, all funding mechanisms are on track, with disbursement of the CDB loan expected to be finalized within a matter of days once the final outstanding contractual requirements are fulfilled. Senior leadership at the Ministry of Works also told Cabinet that pre-construction preparatory work is already ongoing to ensure all projects funded through both the bond and loan can be executed on schedule.

    To wrap up the meeting, Cabinet issued a formal directive to relevant public officials to accelerate the implementation timeline for all projects, so that local communities can begin benefiting from safer, more reliable road infrastructure as quickly as possible.

  • Postal Service set for major five-year overhaul

    Postal Service set for major five-year overhaul

    After 175 years of operation under its modern framework, the Barbados Postal Service is set to undergo one of the most sweeping structural transformations in its institutional history. Government officials have laid out an ambitious five-year blueprint to reimagine the century-old agency, expanding its mandate far beyond traditional letter and parcel delivery to become a core driver of national connectivity.

    Home Affairs and Information Minister Gregory Nicholls first announced the transformative initiative this Wednesday, during the opening ceremony of a new customer service training program developed exclusively for postal employees in partnership with the local National Transformation Initiative (NTI). While Nicholls did not release specific granular details of the planned reforms during his public remarks, he framed the ongoing staff training as a critical first step to prepare the postal workforce for the coming changes.

    “The government has chosen to lead, and that is why we are going to pursue a bold vision for the Barbados Postal Service, one that I have described from mail delivery to national connectivity,” Nicholls stated during the event. “I have submitted to the postmaster general a blueprint of how that transformation programme will look over the next five years.”

    In a push to ensure the final reform plan reflects input from across the organization, Nicholls confirmed that all levels of staff will have an opportunity to contribute feedback before the blueprint is finalized. “I’ve asked her [the postmaster general] and management to comment on it, to critique it. Even let your staff have a say in how that is to be constructed so that we can build a transformation model that works for all of us. I hope that we can get into discussing it soon. From mail delivery to national connectivity, those are six words, and they capture a profound shift in how we think about the postal service.”

    Under the new vision, the Barbados Postal Service will no longer operate solely as a mail delivery agency. Nicholls outlined that the reimagined service will act as a connective hub linking local communities to critical government services, connecting individual people to new economic opportunities, helping small and medium entrepreneurs access regional and global markets, and integrating isolated communities into the national economy. This shift will be achieved through expanded reliable logistics networks, targeted digital innovation, and continued commitment to trusted public service, he explained, noting that “the Barbados Postal Service must become far more than a postal operator.”

    Realizing this ambitious vision will require substantial cross-cutting investment, Nicholls emphasized. Upgrades will cover core infrastructure, cutting-edge digital technology, strengthened end-to-end logistics systems, modernized physical facilities, and the development of new public-private and cross-sector partnerships. However, he stressed that investment in the postal workforce is the most critical component of the entire transformation. “But above all else, it requires people because no matter how sophisticated our technology becomes, no matter how modern our abilities become, no matter how many services we introduce, none of these investments will achieve their full value unless the people who represent this organisation every day are equipped, motivated, and inspired to deliver excellence.”

    Nicholls encouraged postal employees to embrace the upcoming changes, noting that the overhaul will bring new technologies, expanded professional responsibilities, and unique career growth opportunities for staff. He urged workers to position themselves as active partners in the transformation process, rather than passive observers of institutional change.

    NTI Director Dr. Allyson Leacock expanded on the purpose of the ongoing staff training program, officially named “The Art and Heart of Service”. She explained that the curriculum goes far beyond basic customer service training, aiming to shift organizational culture from transactional service delivery to heartfelt, community-focused public service.

    “We are going to add to the arsenal of skills that we know you already have because, as the Barbados Postal Service, you are our very best friends…you are custodians of all that matters for us. Mail is more than an item; it is a promise that you execute with great skill and distinction,” Dr. Leacock told attendees.

    She noted that participating postal workers are joining a growing global movement of postal sector reform that centers new values for the evolving digital ecosystem, emphasizing that worker mindset is just as critical to successful transformation as technical skill development. “In demonstrating the values of a new generation, a new digital ecosystem that requires all of us to shift how we work, and that is what this training really will capture: the importance of the mindset alongside the skill set.”

    The training curriculum covers a broad range of competencies tailored to the transformed service, including digital literacy, inclusive service through disability etiquette, professional deportment, personal branding and communication skills, and core training in organizational ethics and integrity. Dr. Leacock added that the program also aims to help staff understand how organizational culture and systemic transformation work together to achieve long-term success.

    Barbados’ postal tradition stretches back to 1663, when the British Post Office established a packet agency on the island. However, the modern formal postal system was not established until August 1, 1851, when the country passed its first Post Office Act to structure the service. The agency issued its first official stamps and launched formal inland mail delivery just eight months later, in April 1852.

  • Court Rejects Law Firm’s Bid to Strike Out PM Browne’s Defamation Claim

    Court Rejects Law Firm’s Bid to Strike Out PM Browne’s Defamation Claim

    A high-stakes defamation lawsuit launched by Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, will move forward to full judicial consideration after the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court turned away a preliminary bid to dismiss the claim from the defendants: private individual Martin DeLuca and international law firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP.

    Details of the ruling emerged this week via Maurice Merchant, the nation’s Director General of Communications, who confirmed that Browne updated his Cabinet on the outcome of the preliminary application during the executive body’s regular weekly meeting held Wednesday.

    According to Merchant, court Master Carlos Cameron-Michel issued the ruling dismissing the law firm’s application on July 21. Boies Schiller Flexner is listed as the second named defendant in the original defamation filing. In its dismissal application, the firm argued that Browne’s claim failed to meet specific procedural requirements laid out in the local Civil Procedure Rules, and furthermore that the filing did not present any legally valid grounds to support a defamation claim before the court.

    “After hearing oral submissions from legal teams representing both sides, and reviewing all written arguments and supporting legal precedents, the court refused the application for dismissal,” Merchant explained during an official press briefing held after the weekly Cabinet meeting.

    Beyond rejecting the dismissal bid, the court handed down two key procedural orders: Boies Schiller Flexner is required to pay 1,500 Eastern Caribbean dollars in court costs by August 12, and must submit its formal defense to the defamation claim by September 4. Once the defense is filed, Browne will be granted a court-allocated window to submit a formal reply to the defense. Following that step, the case will move into scheduled case management proceedings in line with the requirements of the Civil Procedure Rules.

    Addressing his Cabinet after the ruling, Browne framed the outcome as a critical procedural milestone, one that clears the way for the court to examine the core substantive allegations at the heart of his claim on their individual legal and factual merits.

    “I welcome the court’s ruling, which has reaffirmed the importance of truth, fairness and accountability in public discourse,” Browne stated in comments shared by Merchant.

    “While robust opposition and debate is an essential feature of any democracy, defamatory statements that unjustly damage an individual’s reputation have no place in our society,” he added.

    Browne emphasized that the proceeding is more than a personal effort to clear his name. “This is not simply a personal vindication, but also a reminder that freedom of expression carries corresponding responsibilities,” he said.

    It is important to note that the latest ruling only addresses the procedural question of whether the claim can proceed to full consideration. The court has not yet made any determination on the ultimate merits of Browne’s defamation allegations against the defendants.

  • Saint Lucia set for Caribbean Golf Championships

    Saint Lucia set for Caribbean Golf Championships

    Next week will mark a historic milestone for golf in Saint Lucia, as a seven-person national delegation departs for Nassau, Bahamas to compete in the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship (CAGC) — the Caribbean Golf Association’s flagship annual competition that brings together the region’s top amateur talent in both team and individual divisions.

    The squad features four male golfers, two female athletes, and one team manager, who will test their skills against elite competitors from across the Caribbean at Nassau’s scenic Royal Blue Golf Course. This tournament comes just months after Saint Lucia formally gained membership in the regional golf association back in May, making this one of the country’s first major appearances at the CAGC’s top level. Notably, Saint Lucia will be missing its top-ranked player, Yadhu Urs, who has committed to competing at the concurrent Central American and Caribbean Games and will not join the squad in The Bahamas.

    Leading the men’s roster are two of Saint Lucia’s most promising young emerging talents: Nicolas Beaubrun and Harith Khan. Beaubrun boasts a decades-long legacy with the Saint Lucian national team, making his first national splash back in 2006 when he claimed the Boys Under-13 title at the Trinidad Open. Today, he holds the 2025 Saint Lucia Open net champion title, and has notched international experience competing at the 2022 Latin America Amateur Championship and the 2023 Eastern Caribbean Golf Association (ECGA) Championship, where he helped Saint Lucia secure the team victory.

    Khan, meanwhile, has built a reputation for consistent, steady play that has lifted his standing in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) over recent years. He also represented Saint Lucia at the 2023 ECGA Championship, and earned his spot in the 2025 Latin America Amateur Championship after finishing runner-up at the 2024 Saint Lucia National Invitational.

    Rounding out the men’s team are veteran competitor Eugene Edwin and player-coach Tim Mangal. Edwin, who has been competing in regional golf for 40 years, is a decorated senior champion and multiple-time regional tournament winner. He added two more major accolades to his resume in 2024: the Senior Gross Champion title at the ECGA Championship, and first place in the senior men’s division at the Saint Lucia Open. Mangal, who serves as both a player and the head of the national golf program, has represented Saint Lucia at dozens of regional competitions and mentored many of the country’s top amateur golfers. Most recently, he led Team Saint Lucia to win the 2025 ECGA Amateur Gross Championship.

    On the women’s side, the team features Catherine Spooner and Marisa Groenewald, two of Saint Lucia’s top performing golfers this season. Spooner climbed to third place in the women’s division at the 2025 ECGA Championship, and earned her biggest career win earlier this year by taking the women’s title at the Saint Lucia Open — a follow-up to her top-three finish at the same tournament in 2024. Groenewald, a member of Saint Lucia’s 2023 ECGA champion squad, claimed two individual titles at the 2025 Saint Lucia Golf Open and has solidified her status as one of the country’s leading domestic players.

    Heading up the delegation as team manager is Dwayne King, who also serves as public relations officer for Golf Saint Lucia Inc. An amateur golfer himself and a longtime sports administrator, King has played a central role in expanding access to golf and growing the sport’s popularity across Saint Lucia.

    For the 2026 CAGC tournament, male competitors will tackle a 6,827-yard (6,242-meter) course, while female athletes will compete on a 6,152-yard (5,625-meter) layout. Following the tournament format established in recent years, the competition will consist of three days of 18-hole stroke play, for a total of 54 holes for all competitors. National teams from across the region will compete for two major trophies: the Hoerman Cup for men’s team play and the George Teale Trophy for women’s team play. The 2025 iteration of the championship was hosted at the Barbados Golf Club last year.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Beach Volleyball Team Heads to Santo Domingo Games

    Antigua and Barbuda Beach Volleyball Team Heads to Santo Domingo Games

    The national men’s beach volleyball squad from Antigua and Barbuda has officially left their home country for the Dominican Republic, where they are set to compete at the 25th edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games, scheduled to take place in Santo Domingo in 2026.

    The two-person team, consisting of athletes Raenor Sharpe and Miguel Peña-Lugo, will carry the nation’s flag in the beach volleyball tournament, with head coach Olsen Joseph traveling alongside the pair to provide on-site strategic guidance and training support.

    This year’s regional Games are scheduled to run from July 23 through August 1, drawing hundreds of top-tier competitive athletes from 30+ countries and territories across the Central American and Caribbean region. The multi-sport event serves as a key benchmark for regional athletic excellence, giving rising and established sports stars a platform to test their skills against top opponents ahead of larger international competitions.

    In an official statement ahead of the team’s departure, the Antigua and Barbuda Volleyball Association confirmed that the squad has completed an intensive months-long preparation camp, and is ready to compete with integrity and national pride against some of the strongest beach volleyball teams in the region.

    The governing body also extended formal gratitude to the Antigua and Barbuda National Olympic Committee for its ongoing financial, logistical, and programmatic support, which was critical to enabling the team to secure entry, cover travel costs, and complete pre-tournament training.

    Closing its statement, the association extended well-wishes to the delegation, saying: “Safe travels, Team 268 — we have full confidence that you will make Antigua and Barbuda proud on the regional court.”

  • Man jailed for stealing salami twice in one day

    Man jailed for stealing salami twice in one day

    A 58-year-old unemployed resident of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has received a consecutive prison sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of shoplifting, stealing chicken salami from the same Massy Stores location twice in a single day.

    The case, adjudicated at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate Tamika McKenzie, traces back to an organized surveillance operation on June 29, when loss prevention officer Shelicia Hooper, who was already aware of the man’s repeated theft of the product from the store, launched targeted monitoring of the outlet at Stony Ground.

    At approximately 5:30 p.m. that day, while reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) feeds, Hooper spotted the defendant, Cecil Young, entering the store wearing all black clothing and carrying a black backpack. Camera footage captured Young placing one Roberts Danish Cooked Chicken Salami into his backpack before heading toward the store exit. Hooper immediately alerted on-site security personnel, instructing them to detain Young and prevent him from leaving the premises.

    A subsequent deeper review of earlier CCTV footage uncovered a second theft that had occurred roughly 15 minutes before the second incident: Young had already entered the store, taken two of the same chicken salami products, concealed them in his bag, and left without completing payment. The total value of all three stolen salami amounted to EC$92.85, with the pair of salami valued at EC$61.90 and the single salami priced at EC$30.95, all listed as property of Massy Stores.

    After detaining Young, security staff handed him over to responding officers from the Kingstown Criminal Investigation Department, including Police Constable 72 Boyd. Boyd reviewed the surveillance footage, then conducted a formal interview and caution of Young in the presence of Police Constable 534 Adams.

    During questioning, Young did not dispute the charges. He acknowledged his actions and confirmed that he was the individual captured on camera committing both thefts. When arraigned, Young entered guilty pleas for the two separate theft charges. Senior Magistrate McKenzie reviewed the CCTV evidence directly during the court proceeding before handing down the sentence.

    Young was sentenced to eight months and 12 days of imprisonment for the theft of the pair of salami, and an additional seven and a half months behind bars for the theft of the single salami. The sentences have been ordered to run consecutively, resulting in a combined total prison term of 16 months and 12 days. McKenzie also issued an order for the recovered salami to be returned to Massy Stores.

  • Sun rises on new Barbados-Antigua route as carrier makes maiden flight

    Sun rises on new Barbados-Antigua route as carrier makes maiden flight

    On Wednesday, Caribbean regional carrier Sunrise Airways marked a major milestone in its regional expansion with the official launch of a new twice-weekly direct air service connecting Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados, a development welcomed by tourism and aviation leaders across the region as a critical step forward for Caribbean integration and economic cooperation.

    The inaugural flight touched down at Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport just after midday, capping off years of steady growth for the airline. Founded in 2010 by former Haitian pilot Philippe Bayard, who also serves as company president, Sunrise Airways launched commercial operations in 2012 and has built its footprint across the Caribbean gradually, offering both scheduled passenger services and custom charter flights. Headquartered in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the carrier has prioritized expanding its Eastern Caribbean network in recent years, filling gaps in regional connectivity that have long limited travel and trade between island nations.

    During a celebratory press briefing following the inaugural flight’s arrival, Sunrise Airways CEO Gary Stone framed the new route as a core part of the carrier’s long-term “One Caribbean” strategic vision. This vision centers on knitting Caribbean island communities closer together while unlocking new opportunities for tourism, cross-border commerce, business exchanges, and family travel across the region.

    “We are incredibly proud to launch operations at Grantley Adams International Airport, located in one of the Caribbean’s most iconic and well-regarded travel destinations,” Stone stated. “This direct link from Antigua and Barbados will elevate regional connectivity, give travelers far more flexible options for cross-island trips, and allow passengers to experience the warm hospitality and industry-leading service that sets Sunrise Airways apart.”

    Stone emphasized that the route launch carries far more significance than simply adding a new stop to the airline’s route map. “Today, we are not just inaugurating a new air route,” he explained. “We are strengthening commercial, tourism, and cultural ties, while driving forward inclusive economic growth and deeper integration across the entire Caribbean community.” As of 2024, Sunrise Airways has served millions of passengers across 20 destinations spanning the Caribbean, North America, and Central America, a milestone that Stone says reflects the company’s unwavering commitment to serving the region’s travel needs.

    Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill echoed that optimism, noting that the new connection will deliver a substantial boost to the Caribbean’s intra-regional tourism sector. “The Caribbean remains Barbados’ third largest source market for visitors,” Gooding-Edghill shared. “Last year alone, we welcomed more than 102,000 travelers from across the Caribbean region, and with increased intra-regional air capacity, we are confident that visitor numbers will continue on an upward trajectory.”

    Like Stone, Gooding-Edghill framed the launch as more than just an expansion of air service. “Today’s launch is more than the arrival of a new flight,” he said. “It is a vital step forward in deepening the bonds of our Caribbean family and strengthening intra-regional travel connectivity.” The minister emphasized that consistent, reliable airlift is the backbone of the Caribbean’s tourism industry, supporting small and large businesses, attracting foreign direct investment, and keeping extended Caribbean families connected across island borders.

    Gooding-Edghill added that the route will create mutual benefits for both Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados, giving travelers a new direct option that eliminates the need for inconvenient connecting flights between the two destinations. Beyond the two core markets, the minister highlighted the ripple effects of Sunrise Airways’ broader regional network: the new link will give Barbados-based travelers improved access to 10 other Caribbean destinations, including Haiti, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Martin, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. It also opens new pathways for international travel, thanks to Sunrise Airways’ existing routes to major U.S. cities including Boston, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Newark, which could strengthen Barbados’ overall global connectivity in the long term.

    “As we celebrate today’s milestone, Barbados continues to reaffirm its commitment to continuously review our options as we seek to enhance and drive more arrivals to the destination,” Gooding-Edghill added.

    To serve its expanding network, Sunrise Airways operates a mixed fleet of owned and leased turboprop and jet aircraft, tailored to meet the unique needs of Caribbean travel: five Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia turboprops, three British Aerospace Jetstream 32s, one Cessna Caravan 208, and two Airbus A320-200 jets. This fleet mix allows the carrier to efficiently handle both short-haul inter-island flights and higher-capacity long-distance routes to the United States.

  • Antigua and Barbuda’s Inflation Rate Eases Slightly to 3.7%

    Antigua and Barbuda’s Inflation Rate Eases Slightly to 3.7%

    Fresh data from the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report shows that Antigua and Barbuda has recorded a notable cooldown in annual inflation for June, with the rate dropping to 3.7% from 4.1% in the previous month. While the year-over-year growth of consumer prices has slowed, sequential price movement between May and June still showed an uptick of 0.6%, indicating ongoing upward pressure on everyday costs for local households.

    Energy remains the single most significant contributor to the nation’s persistent inflation, posting a 20.6% surge over the 12-month period ending in June. The most dramatic shift within the energy segment was seen in electricity prices, which skyrocketed by 42.9% year-over-year. This sharp jump comes on the heels of an increase in the national fuel variation rate, which climbed from 56 cents to 80 cents, passing higher energy generation costs directly to consumers.

    When combined with related household expenses, the broader category covering housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels recorded an 8.5% annual increase as of June. Food and nonalcoholic beverages, a core budget line item for most families, posted a more moderate 1.7% annual rise, though this headline figure masks uneven shifts across different food groups. Fish and seafood prices grew by 8.5%, vegetable costs went up 4.4%, and prices for oils and fats increased 3.2%. At the same time, some staple products saw price pullbacks: fruit prices dropped 9.2% year-over-year, while meat costs fell by 4.8%, providing a small degree of relief for grocery budgets.

    Several other key spending categories also saw substantial annual price hikes. Recreation and culture led the gains with a 30.2% increase, followed by education at 13.3%, transport services at 10.3%, and restaurants and hotels at 4.5%. When stripping out the volatile food and energy segments to look at core inflation, the index still showed a slowdown, dipping to 2.5% annual growth in June from 3.7% in May.

    Across all 12 main consumer spending categories tracked by the report, only four recorded year-over-year price declines, while eight categories reported outright price increases, underscoring how widespread cost growth remains across the Antigua and Barbuda economy.