On Monday, October 11, 2021 Hon. Carlos James, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture signed two agreements on behalf of the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines with the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade’s Conference Room. The Agreements were signed in preparation for the inaugural Virgin Atlantic direct flight to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, scheduled to commence operation in SVG from Wednesday, October 13 2021. Witnessing the signing was Resident British Commissioner of the British High Commission, H.E. Steve Moore.
The two agreements signed were:
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Aeronautical Authorities of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; and
Air Services Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Northern Ireland and the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
According to the Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture, Hon. Carlos James, the signing of the MOU and the Air Service Agreement will allow Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to facilitate direct flights from the United Kingdom.
“We do have a history of trade with the United Kingdom and the signing of these important instruments will enable St. Vincent and the Grenadines to facilitate an even greater movement of people, goods and services, reducing the divide that separates us as global citizens,” Minister James said.
The aviation minister noted that St. Vincent and the Grenadines is ideally positioned to become a significant aviation hub within the Caribbean region. With the signing these instruments, the country now has greater access to major source markets across the European continent, which is important to our recovery efforts both in tourism and trade following the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The MOU affirms the intention of both States to comply to the scope of Article 5 of the Chicago Convention, which is to adopt flexible policy, to charter services between the two countries and their willingness in principle to approve applications for such flights subject to the understanding that reciprocal treatment will be granted by the other Aeronautical Authority.