A major development in Caribbean aviation was unveiled this week as interCaribbean Airways, the largest privately-owned carrier in the region, announced plans to establish an entirely in-house hub operation in Barbados.
The airline will transition its existing Barbados operations from contract handlers to a new dedicated team under FlightSupport (Barbados) Ltd on December 1, 2023. FlightSupport, which has emerged as the largest ground handler at Providenciales International Airport, currently provides full above and below-wing services for airlines including Air Canada, British Airways, Delta, United, Southwest, WestJet and others, flying out of Turks and Caicos Islands.
FlightSupport and its leader Lyndon Gardiner, who also serves as Chairman of interCaribbean, bring nearly three decades of acclaimed ground handling expertise. Company officials stated the move will elevate service quality and reliability out of the strategic Barbados hub.
“Barbados is a valued and critical partner to us, and a key destination and hub for interCaribbean Airways,” commented Gardiner. “Having FlightSupport Ltd with a presence in Barbados will undoubtedly improve our reputation for reliability and service in this region.”
For interCaribbean, the transition represents a doubling down on Barbados as the backbone of its southern Caribbean network. By taking ownership of hub operations, the airline aims to improve efficiency, seamless connections, and the overall travel experience.
The company recently concluded hiring drives in Grenada and Barbados to recruit specialized personnel to staff the new in-house team. Dozens of customer service, ramp handling, and aircraft turnaround roles will be based locally.
The Barbados expansion reflects interCaribbean’s commitment to bridging the islands and boosting regional air connectivity. Founded in 1991, the airline now connects 28 cities across 17 Caribbean countries with a fleet of turboprops and Embraer jets.
While promising enhanced services, the move also brings job creation and economic impact. By investing in a full-fledged Barbados hub, interCaribbean is betting big on both operational excellence and local partnership from its strategic southern base.