Antigua and Barbuda and Qatar on Friday, January 17, 2025, signed an air services agreement (ASA) under which the designated airlines of both nations across the Atlantic Ocean will have unrestricted traffic rights for passenger and cargo planes.
The pact was secured in Doha after Qatari Minister of Transport Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al-Thani and Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transport and Investment, Charles Fernandez.
The agreement materialized in the context of connecting the Middle Eastern nation with more air service arrangements allowing its national carrier to reach more destinations globally.
Al Thani welcomed at the signing ceremony the new pact citing Qatar’s growing role as a major worldwide air transportation hub and its avenues for cooperation with Antigua and Barbuda.
Fernandez, on the other hand, spoke about the island-nation’s achievements in terms of the arrivals of tourists both by air and waterways. He also highlighted investment opportunities that his country offers, including the possibilities that the agreement created for improving air transport between the two nations.
After the signing event, the two transport ministers reviewed the countries’ bilateral ties in transport, communications, civil aviation, and other air transport activities.
Antigua and Barbuda and Qatar hold civil aviation talks
On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, bilateral talks were held between the civil author aviation authorities of Qatar and Antigua and Barbuda in Doha. The host nation was led by Mohamed bin Faleh Al Hajri, who is in charge of managing the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, and Antigua and Barbuda by Fernandez. Theon Ali, the ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to Doha, was also present.
The discussions featured the terms of inking the agreement to open the airspace between the two countries; ways to improve cooperation in air transport; and exchange views on matters of common interest in civil aviation.
The ASA enhances Antigua and Barbuda’s regional air connectivity and the country’s global ties, something that the Gaston Browne-led government aspires to. He shared the news of signing of the ASA on his official Facebook page.
The ASA also boosts ties between the Caribbean nation and Qatar and seeks the promotion of cooperation in areas such as tourism, education, and investment opportunities.
Qatar Airways, the Middle Eastern nation’s national carrier, is a member of the oneworld Alliance and runs operations across continents.
Doha has entered into ASAs and memoranda of understanding with several countries that took part in the ICAO Air Services Negotiation (ICAN2024) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in October last year.
The latest pact with Antigua and Barbuda will broaden opportunities for travellers and provide them with greater convenience.
Browne signs Open Skies Agreement with US
On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, the government of Antigua and Barbuda signed the Open Skies Agreement to improve aviation ties with the US. A release from the American Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, confirmed the development.
Prime Minister Browne signed the agreement along with the US Ambassador to Barbados, Eastern Caribbean and the OECS, Roger Nyhus, who also concurrently represents Washington DC in Antigua and Barbuda and other island-nations in the region.
It is hoped that the agreement will create greater opportunities for air travel and economic cooperation between the two countries.
