The carrier will operate the new service beginning May 25th, 2024, utilising Embraer 120 (EMB-120) twin-turboprop aircraft, offering a maximum seating capacity for 30 passengers.
“All of us at Sunrise Airways have cherished each new route that we’ve inaugurated over the 12-year history of our airline. This latest expansion, though, is extra special as it brings the mission we started in the Western Caribbean, to better connect our islands under our One Caribbean concept, to the Eastern Caribbean in the biggest way yet,” Sunrise Airways Chairman and CEO, Philippe Bayard said.
New Sunrise Airways flights within the Eastern Caribbean will operate six days per-week (every day except Tuesday). Two flights daily connect Antigua–Dominica and Antigua–St. Kitts, while Antigua–Saint Lucia service will operate once daily.
The carrier also serves an additional 12 gateways across six Caribbean and Central American destinations – Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Panama City, and St. Maarten – and has plans to expand further in the Eastern Caribbean in 2024 and beyond.
Additionally, the region’s longtime air carrier, LIAT, is poised to make a return. The Antiguan government partnered with a Nigerian Airline, AirPeace, to revamp the Leeward Island Air Transport Service.
Prime Minister Pierre says the Saint Lucian government will continue monitoring these developments with a hope to collaborate in the future.
“The Prime Minister of Antigua has gone into a partnership with an African Airline. They want to launch LIAT2020. Saint Lucia has not got involved in terms of putting any finances. We are monitoring and talking to Antigua,” Pierre said.
LIAT 2020 is reportedly a 30/70 partnership between the government of Antigua and Barbuda and AirPeace, which would invest up to USD80 million into the venture that is to boost flagging regional connectivity. The Nigerian carrier has committed to providing three E145s to LIAT 2020.
Pierre says once a share structure is established, Saint Lucia will begin official discussions with Antigua.
“Very soon, when things are ready, when the share structure is organised, Saint Lucia will look at it and its feasibility. We need to improve air travel in this country so we’ll see what we can do.”