Antigua and Barbuda continues to solidify its position as one of the Caribbean’s key destinations with the official announcement of a new direct air connection with South America. Minister of Tourism Charles Fernandez, alongside the CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), Colin James, and the Director of Tourism for the Caribbean and Latin America, Charmaine Spencer, introduced the launch of a new charter flight linking Cartagena de Indias (CTG) with St. John’s (ANU), starting September 12, 2025, operating once a week every Friday.

The new operation will be made possible through a collaboration between Caribbean regional airline LIAT 2020 Ltd. and BlueSea The Latin American Traveller, a platform specialized in promoting Latin American tourism to the English-speaking Caribbean.

“We are beginning with a weekly charter flight, and I am confident that it will expand over time — we could even see daily service,” said Minister Charles Fernandez. “This route represents a major opportunity to expand Antigua and Barbuda’s reach, strengthen ties with South America, and further establish our country as a gateway to the Eastern Caribbean.”

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO Colin James celebrated the route’s launch as “a gateway to new markets” and emphasized: “South America is a region with strong tourism growth potential. This flight could open up an entire continent as a new source market for Antigua and Barbuda.”

Meanwhile, Charmaine Spencer, Director of Tourism for the Caribbean and Latin America, highlighted: “This flight will not only boost leisure tourism but also attract corporate travelers, incentive groups, and premium tourists seeking the exclusivity of our islands.”

The route, operated by LIAT 2020 with next-generation aircraft, will have an estimated flight time of two and a half hours, offering quick and comfortable access to Antigua and Barbuda’s unspoiled beaches, rich cultural heritage, and genuine hospitality. Additionally, it will allow Caribbean residents to discover the historical, cultural, and culinary wealth of Cartagena de Indias and other Colombian regions.

BlueSea The Latin American Traveller emphasized its role in facilitating this milestone, following years of collaboration with ABTA, LIAT, and the tourism sectors of both countries to develop a connection that was originally conceived before the pandemic and has now become a reality.

This new route further positions Antigua and Barbuda as a tourism and commercial hub in the Caribbean, opening up new opportunities for inbound travel, business, and cultural exchange with Latin America.

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