ECCB Supports OECS Air as High Travel Costs Continue to Hurt Region

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank’s Monetary Council has thrown its support behind continued efforts to establish a regional airline, saying poor air connectivity and high transportation costs continue to hamper trade, tourism and labour mobility across the Eastern Caribbean.

The call came in a communiqué issued following the Council’s 113th meeting in Dominica on Friday, where finance ministers and premiers reviewed the region’s economic outlook and priorities for growth.

The Council noted that while tourism across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union has remained strong, inadequate air links between islands continue to constrain intraregional travel.

“It therefore welcomed continued discussions on the establishment of a regional airline, OECS Air, recognising that improved connectivity is essential for trade, tourism and labour mobility,” the communiqué stated.

The Monetary Council said stronger regional connectivity will be critical to sustaining long-term economic growth and competitiveness.

It reaffirmed that achieving greater prosperity will require stronger productivity, deeper regional integration, improved connectivity, affordable energy, increased private investment and continued policy coordination among member states.

The Council also reported that visitor arrivals across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union rose by 9 percent in the first quarter of 2026, increasing from 2.3 million to 2.5 million, while visitor spending climbed 4 percent from EC$2.7 billion to EC$2.8 billion, reflecting continued demand for the region as a tourism destination.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: ECCB Backs Regional Airline to Improve Caribbean Connectivity.