The Caribbean must strengthen regional cooperation, aviation regulations and build sustainable technical capacity to ensure the safety and resilience of the region’s aviation sector.
That was the central message at the opening of the Caribbean High-Level Symposium on Aviation Safety, convened by the CARICOM Secretariat in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The symposium, being held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Georgetown, brings together high-level representatives from CARICOM Member States, regional institutions and international partners to identify practical measures to strengthen aviation safety oversight, deepen cooperation and advance sustainable capacity development and financing.
Held under the theme, “Strengthening Caribbean Aviation through Regional Cooperation, Resilient Oversight and Sustainable Capacity Development,” the event is focused on moving from discussion to concrete action.
Guyana’s Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, in delivering remarks at the opening, called for stronger cooperation across the region, noting that Caribbean countries cannot address the challenges facing the aviation sector alone.
“The Caribbean aviation future will depend on whether we can work across borders, strengthen our institutions and build the expertise to keep the pace with the changing industry,” Minister Indar said.
He stressed that aviation is critical to the region’s development, particularly given the geographical realities of the Caribbean.
“For our region, aviation is not a luxury. It connects island and mainland communities, supports tourism and trade, brings families together and helps deliver essential services,” he said.
Minister Indar also highlighted the importance of reliable air transport during emergencies, including hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters.
The Minister acknowledged, however, that Caribbean aviation authorities continue to face significant pressures, including limited technical personnel, funding constraints and shortages of specialist expertise.
He pointed to differences in regulations and procedures across the region as another challenge that can slow regional integration.
At the same time, aviation authorities must respond to rapid technological changes, including new aircraft technologies, digital systems and artificial intelligence, as well as emerging security risks.
Climate events and natural disasters are also placing additional pressure on airports and aviation infrastructure, testing the resilience of the region’s aviation systems.
“No country can meet these challenges alone. Cooperation must become a working arrangement,” Minister Indar said.
The symposium therefore seeks to move the region from shared concerns to shared commitments, with discussions expected to focus on the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS) Roadmap and Action Matrix to 2035, the sustainability of civil aviation authorities, regulatory harmonisation and air transport services within CARICOM. Further discussions will also be held to advance a single Caribbean air transport market under the CARICOM Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA).
Participants will also examine the technical support, financing and operational realities needed to strengthen aviation safety across the region.
Regional Director of the ICAO South American Regional Office, Luis Fernando Fiallos, underscored the broader importance of aviation to Caribbean development.
“Aviation is not merely a convenience, it is an indispensable economic and societal bridge,” Fiallos stated.
Source: NEW ROOMS SITE
