Minister Lovell and Minister Gjisbertha signing the Aviation Agreement. Photo by Maurice F. Merchant

The agreement was negotiated in April 2005 by technical representatives of both countries and was signed by Harold Lovell, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation of Antigua and Barbuda and Kenneth Gjisbertha, Minister of Transport and Communications of The Netherlands Antilles.

The agreement is expected to provide a liberalised environment for air transport between Antigua and Barbuda and the territories comprising the Netherlands Antilles and will replace earlier negotiated arrangements. The new agreement is based on a model agreement developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and is intended to facilitate a regulatory environment reflective of current trends in airline security, fare pricing and other requirements.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Lovell expressed hopes that the new agreement would lead to an increase in air traffic between the two countries. This included opportunities relating to Cricket World Cup. He noted that among the innovative features of the new agreement was the scope which it provided for Antigua and Barbuda to designate other CARICOM carriers to operate routes into the Netherlands Antilles.

Gijisbertha also took the opportunity of his visit to St John's to hold discussions with the tourism minister relating to transportation issues of mutual concern.