Antigua-based Carib Aviation, which serves 10 destinations in the eastern Caribbean, announced plans to cease operations on Sept. 30.
The carrier, which was formed in 1972, said that rising fuel costs and the recent short-notice resignations of seven pilots will force it out of the skies at the end of the month. The majority of the pilots were recruited by regional airline LIAT, according to Carib Aviation officials.
Although no reservations are being taken beyond Sept. 30, bookings made before Sept. 8 for travel after Sept. 30 remain valid. Customers should contact the tourist board of the country from which they are flying for further information, according to Frankie Francois, Carib Aviation's CEO.
Carib Aviation has a fleet of eight turboprop aircraft.
Flight reductions begin Sept. 12 when Carib Aviation will suspend service to Dominica, Nevis, St. Kitts and Anguilla. The carrier will fly three roundtrips between Antigua and Montserrat and two between Antigua and Barbuda until Sept. 30.
The impact will be felt heaviest on Montserrat. While most of the islands have other regional air options, such as LIAT and Winair, Montserrat has none. Montserrat welcomed back air service to the island in 2005, following a 10-year disruption due to the volcanic eruptions in 1995. During that time, a two-hour ferry ride linked Montserrat with Antigua. Once air service resumed, the ferry service was discontinued.
Harold Lovell, minister of tourism for Antigua and Barbuda, said his government is working with Montserrat to come up with a solution. Montserrat Chief Minister Lowell Lewis is holding talks with the Antigua government, Carib Aviation officials and other private sector parties to ensure air service.
"I wish to reassure the traveling public that they will be able to get to and from Montserrat after Sept. 30 and not to cancel their travel plans," Lewis said. "My government is working on a number of access options, which will be announced shortly."
One of those options could include the resumption of ferry service.