The event, known for bringing together leaders in aviation, tourism, and investment, provided a forum to address regional connectivity, sustainable aviation, airport development, and public-private partnerships.
The airport delegation included Airport Manager Maegan Hassell and Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer (AFISO) Derrick Johnson, who joined various professionals for three days of discussions and expert presentations.
Hosted by the Government of Saint-Barthélemy and the St. Barth Tourism Committee, CARIBAVIA 2025 opened with remarks from Hon. Xavier Lédée, President of the Collectivity of Saint-Barthélemy, and Alexandra Questel, President of the St. Barth Tourism Committee. Representatives from St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, the United States, and the UAE were also in attendance.
Key themes of the conference included:
- Enhancing connectivity across the Caribbean, and to the rest of the world
- The potential of Artificial Intelligence in aviation and tourism
- The role of aviation investment in fostering economic growth
- Promoting sustainable and respectful tourism
In addition to the main sessions, the Saba delegation attended a presentation by aviation marketing expert Leslie Chin, which focused on unlocking niche tourism markets, including the Chinese-Canadian demographic, which numbers over 1.7 million people. Emphasis was placed on catering to travelers who value safety, comfort, quality, and cleanliness, with particular interest in family-oriented holidays and serene environments which closely aligns with what many Caribbean islands offer, including Saba.
Another key highlight was the growing call to introduce aviation and aerospace education, particularly STEM-focused pathways in schools, to engage the next generation in aviation careers beyond piloting. With global workforce shortages in aviation-related fields, participants stressed the need for early exposure and education to spark youth interest and build capacity across the Caribbean.
The event also featured a TECNAM aircraft display, showcasing modern, fuel-efficient aircraft designed for short-haul regional operations, ideal for inter-island connectivity. The display attracted interest from various stakeholders focused on fleet renewal, training aircraft, and sustainable aviation solutions for small airports.
Throughout the conference, the message was clear that now is the time for the Caribbean to come together. With growing global geopolitical shifts, regional collaboration offers an unprecedented opportunity for strategic growth and collective resilience.
