Some of these factors are being cited in support of the revival of the long-time idea of creating a regional airline. Writing in the Antigua Sun, Mr. John Gilmore considers that “the timing may be propitious for the 'New Boys' to sit down and discuss whether co-operation/integration is a more viable option for them collectively than their continued individual financially disastrous courses”.

Though writing from the point of view of the Insular, English-speaking Caribbean, he also makes the central point of any discussion on air transport in the GC: that “the issue demands analysis from the viewpoint of a viable solution for the region rather than the traditional narrow perspective of 'the best' (usually loss making) solution for each individual airline -- often at the expense of the others.”

At the end of the day, everyone, from the high-level policy-maker to the baggage handler, as well as the average passenger, recognises that, from the consecutive BWIA, LIAT and Air Jamaica bailouts starting in the early 70’s, through the collapse of Venezuela’s VIASA in the 80’s and the entrance upon the scene of Caribbean Star and (soon) Miami-based Spirit, the precarious air transport system in the GC has depended upon the heavy-handed patronage of our national budgets, thus addicting it to a slice of revenue that, quite frankly, could be put to better use in our sustainable development Agenda. We have thus, potentially, put our bridge to the world in the hands of others who, in pursuit of their own interests (as is well and good) will not necessarily have our best interests at heart.

Though the idea of a regional airline sounds logical and even sexy, what is needed is a solution which brings together existing capabilities to create a truly functional Air Transport System for the GC that is bigger than the sum of its parts. Whether we create the dreamed-of regional airline (unlikely as things stand) or we achieve synergies between existing and new enterprises through the granting of liberties, code-sharing and other arrangements based upon the ACS Air Transport Agreement, the fact remains that the future of our interconnection to the globalised world cannot depend upon the Marxist ideal cited above.

Luis Carpio is the Director of Transport and Natural Disasters of the Association of Caribbean States. The opinions expressed are not necessarily the official views of the ACS. Comments and reactions can be sent to mail@acs-aec.org

April 5, 2006