Barbados has been engaging Caribbean Airlines (CAL) in discussions surrounding route development and regional connectivity as the majority state-owned Trinidad and Tobago carrier faces pressure to become profitable within two years.

Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill confirmed that talks are ongoing during an interview with Caribbean Pulse on the sidelines of the 44th Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua and Barbuda on May 14.

The discussions come after Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar reportedly issued an ultimatum to CAL’s management to improve profitability within two years or they will be terminated.

Since then, the airline has announced cuts to several routes, including services to the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, as well as Fort Lauderdale to Montego Bay and Fort Lauderdale to Kingston flights.

There have also been reports that other underperforming routes could face cuts.

In December 2025, CAL closed its secondary hub and restructured operations at Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport.

Aircraft and crews previously based in Barbados were relocated to the airline’s primary hub at Piarco International Airport in Trinidad.

While declining to comment directly on Persad-Bissessar’s ultimatum or CAL’s internal affairs, Gooding-Edghill said Barbados remains committed to working with the airline to strengthen regional connectivity.

“I can’t speak to cost profitability. That’s an internal matter. But what I can tell you is that we have been having ongoing discussions regarding routes and development. That discussion is currently ongoing, and we look forward to those continued discussions,” Gooding-Edghill said.

The Barbados-Trinidad route remains one of CAL’s busiest regional services, with the airline operating 20 weekly flights along with an additional 25 onward connections to regional and international destinations.

Gooding-Edghill said Barbados sees strong potential for CAL to further improve regional air connectivity.

“We are well aware that there are huge opportunities, and I believe there are great opportunities for the Caribbean to help Barbados in terms of route structure. And that is currently under discussion,” he said.

The minister declined to provide details on the discussions, saying it was “too early to make any further announcement,” but stressed that CAL continues to play an important role in moving regional and international passengers throughout the Caribbean.

His comments mirrored recent remarks by Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who also told Caribbean Pulse that discussions were ongoing about maintaining regional air services despite increasing financial pressures facing the airline industry.

“So conversations are happening and we’re talking to see how best we can ensure that the little piece of the Caribbean that flies continues to fly because it is important to us,” Bartlett said.

Meanwhile, Barbados continues discussions with other airlines as it seeks to expand airlift and diversify its tourism markets to reduce dependence on seasonal tourism.

The issue was highlighted in the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) recent Caribbean Travel Trends Report.

Gooding-Edghill said air connectivity remains central to Barbados’ tourism growth strategy.

“To achieve growth, we have to maintain a very robust policy with respect to airlift. And that is what we are doing, concentrating and driving more airlift to the destination,” he said.

“If you want growth, the only way you accomplish growth is through increased connectivity.”

The minister said Barbados is targeting new and emerging markets, including the Gulf states, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

“We are very focused on the African Gulf States. We are going into the Asia-Pacific market and hoping that further moves will be made with respect to the opening of that office as well. And we will continue to build up the Latin American market,” he said.

Barbados is also receiving increased support from major international carriers.

Gooding-Edghill revealed that British Airways will deploy a larger aircraft on its Barbados route during the summer period, while Virgin Atlantic has upgraded its Barbados-London service using its newest aircraft.

“So we believe that there are great opportunities for us to be had,” he said.