Antigua and Barbuda has formalised its participation in a regional aviation cooperation framework, signing a Memorandum of Understanding that commits the twin-island nation to closer collaboration with civil aviation authorities across the Caribbean on matters of safety, security, and sustainable development.
The agreement was signed during the Fourteenth Meeting of the North American, Central America and Caribbean Directors of Civil Aviation, held at the AUA Conference Centre from June 1 to 3. The initiative is led by France’s Directorate General for Civil Aviation and seeks to improve collaboration in several key areas, including air services, crisis management, sustainable development, regulatory harmonisation, and the sharing of industry best practices.
A New Regional Technical Committee
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Sylvain Lefoyer, Director of the French Civil Aviation Safety Directorate for the French West Indies and French Guiana, welcomed Antigua and Barbuda’s participation in the regional framework. Lefoyer said the agreement establishes a Regional Technical Cooperation Committee, with French authorities serving as the secretariat responsible for coordinating implementation efforts and fostering stronger communication among aviation regulators throughout the region.
Antigua’s Endorsement
Representing Antigua and Barbuda, Ambassador Brian Challenger of the Ministry of Civil Aviation praised the French authorities for their leadership in advancing technical cooperation among Caribbean aviation stakeholders. Challenger noted that the agreement provides an important avenue for aviation officials in Antigua and Barbuda and other participating countries and territories to strengthen relationships and collaborate more closely on matters relating to aviation safety and security. He said the framework would facilitate both formal and informal exchanges among aviation authorities, helping to improve coordination and support the continued development of the sector.
Witnessed at the Highest Level
The signing was witnessed by senior aviation officials from Antigua and Barbuda and the French Antilles, as well as Christopher Barks, Director of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Regional Office in Mexico City.
The MoU builds on Antigua and Barbuda’s growing profile as a regional hub for international aviation cooperation. The ICAO Directors meeting itself was hosted in St. John’s — a signal of the nation’s standing within international civil aviation circles and its commitment to playing a constructive role in shaping the future of Caribbean skies.
The agreement is expected to support greater regional integration in civil aviation and provide a platform for addressing shared challenges while advancing common goals across the Caribbean aviation sector.
