The government is looking to add two more African countries to its transatlantic route as it continues efforts to link Antigua and Barbuda to the mother land, Africa via Rwanda Air Limited.
On Monday, a resolution was passed in Parliament to establish an Air Services Agreement between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and the Government of Rwanda. But Prime Minister Gaston Browne also said that similar Air Services Agreements are expected to be established with Ghana and Morocco.
The new bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) was originally signed in Kigali on June 23, 2022, and creates a legal framework for future air travel collaboration between the two countries.
He noted that discussions are ongoing to have Rwanda’s national airline establish air services between Antigua and Barbuda and Africa, particularly ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled to be held in Antigua next year.
“This again reflects the Government’s interest of broadening our relationship with Africa and particularly in the case of Rwanda, where discussions are ongoing for their national carrier to provide services between Africa and Antigua for next year, especially with the Commonwealth Heads [of Governments] meeting. So, this ASA would provide a legal framework again for such services.”
The first resolution ratified the ASA signed with Germany on December 6, 2022, in St John’s. The agreement establishes a legal framework to facilitate air traffic between the two nations and allows for the possibility of “fifth freedom” rights, which enable an airline to carry passengers between two foreign countries as part of a service connecting to its own country.
The second resolution ratified the ASA signed with Qatar on January 14, 2025, in Doha. The agreement not only opens air traffic routes between Antigua and Qatar but also strengthens cooperation in aviation training and capacity-building initiatives.
“Qatar remains a strong partner in terms of technical assistance and support to our aviation sector,” he said, highlighting Antigua’s strategic location and growing role as a regional air transport hub. He also referenced the role of LIAT20, a homegrown airline, in advancing this goal.
This agreement is intended to increase international competitiveness and accelerate the process of sub-regional integration.
