Aviation Sector Poised For Growth

The future looks bright for the aviation industry in the region. With air traffic expected to grow just under 4% annually, the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) Latin America and Caribbean Conference, hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority, brought leaders and experts together to discuss improvements in operational efficiency, environmental sustainability and safety, in preparing for future air traffic growth in the region. The CANSO Conference explores ways to improve data exchange, enhance safety, and adopt new technologies to create a more resilient, efficient, and environmentally-friendly airspace. Director-General of Civil Aviation, Cary Price, explained the significant size of the airspace managed locally. "Trinidad and Tobago has one of the largest, single, Flight Information Regions (FIR) in the world. When I say single, obviously, the United States has much more airspace overall, but in terms of a single FIR controlled and managed by one particular unit, our FIR is very much one of the largest in the world. I'm not sure if you all are aware of this, but it's three-quarter million square miles, 750,000 square miles." Speaking of strategic investments being undertaken by Government to boost the local and regional aviation sector, Minister of Works and Transport, Rohan Sinanan, spotlighted infrastructural developments at the ANR Robinson International Airport in Tobago. "In the area of infrastructure upgrades, I am particularly pleased to highlight that the ANR Robinson Airport expansion project's set schedule for completion in early 2025. This state-of-the-art terminal will set new standards for modern efficiencies and world-class facilities." The Ministry of Works and Transport, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, has also made significant strides in expanding Trinidad and Tobago's global aviation network through a series of strategic Air Services Agreements or ASAs. "In November 2023, we deepened our regional connectivity by signing an agreement with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, focussing on Curaçao. This partnership strengthened our ties with the region and opened new opportunities for trade and travel. In May 2024, we broadened our horizon with an ASA with the State of Qatar, creating a vital link to the Middle East through Doha, a global hub of commerce and tourism." Minister Sinanan added Government is actively engaged in discussions with fifteen other States spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. This, in addition to infrastructure modernisation and legislation reform, is designed to strengthen our connectivity, enhance passenger experience, and position Trinidad and Tobago as a critical hub in the global landscape.