Caribbean News
Caicos Express Airways Celebrates 10 Years
Hard work – determination – teamwork – consistent and reliable services – the secret to ten years for Caicos Express Airways.
#TurksandCaicos, December 31, 2021 – Caicos Express Airways is owned by two long-time friends and pilots: Captain Friedise Registre-CEO and Accountable Manager, and Richardson Arthur-Managing Director and Training Pilot. Both are equal owners; Captain Friedise started the company and was later joined by Captain Arthur.
The company started as a charter carrier in 2007 and In 2011, the company started scheduled flights between the islands. Ten years later, the company added International flights and continues to grow in destinations, airplanes, and passenger count.
Some of the countries Caicos Express Airways flew to are Cap Haitian Haiti, Port Au Prince Haiti, Santo Domingo Dominican Rep, Santiago Dominican Rep, and throughout Turks and Caicos. It has also operated charter flights to Jamaica, Cayman, Bahamas and the Eastern Caribbean.
The first plane that the company had was the Piper Aztec PA23; it has now retired. The company currently has three C402C and two Beechcraft 1900C. It is looking to add two aircraft in 2022.
Operations Manager Stephane Menelas commented on the 10-year achievement. He said, “We are very proud and happy. It’s been a challenging and a lot of hard work to make it to this milestone.”
Menelas added that one of the biggest challenges has been coping with each country’s constant changes and regulations. Every country has different aviation laws, jurisdictions, and immigration requirements to protect its countries and people. However, Caicos Airways, a small company, struggled to adjust in this regard.
He also said the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the company. He said that there were no scheduled flights during the initial stage of the pandemic, and the staff was reduced. Pre-pandemic, there were 65 staff members. The company is still undergoing the impact of the pandemic, but Menelas said they have managed to recover partially. Now, the staff is heading back to its previous numbers; the company now has at least 60 people on its staff.
“It’s like watching a child grow,” said Menelas, as he reflected on the milestone and the challenges the company had to overcome. He said passion keeps them going and that the team has a love affair with aviation and airplanes.
“We love what we do, and we want to keep providing great service to our customers,” he added. Menelas said the customers are also the reasons behind the ten-year milestone. He thanked them for their commitment, love, and support to Caicos Airways.
The company does not only focus on issues within the company. Menelas mentioned the company’s goals regarding the Turks and Caicos Islands. He said, “we believe in the future of this country.”
He said another goal for the company is to expand, and by doing so, there will be a need to hire and train workers, specifically young people. This is to build the country and carry on the love of aviation and the legacy of Caicos Airways.
“We are a very generous company, and we donate a lot to charitable organisations even though you will not see us publicising that. A few that we are proud of are those that are helping the children in need,” Menelas added.
He said there is one project where hot meals are provided to primary school students in need in neighbouring islands. The company also sponsored an organisation that provide school supplies to children and have transported over 12 thousand pounds of relief supplies to Haiti during their earthquake disasters.
“We almost never say NO to providing help either in cash or transporting of supplies and goods to those in need,” he said. Menelas added that Caicos Express Airways is not closed off to possibilities.
Though the company has celebrated its tenth year, one that the staff is proud of, there was no grand event or celebration. Menelas said this was to ensure the staff stays safe. He said that while the pandemic persists, the company yearns for the understanding of customers and travel relief from the authorities.
He said the company is looking forward to “more life and more strength.”
Caribbean News
Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion
Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.
The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.
“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital
policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.
“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”
Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.
Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.
Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”
Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.
Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.
Photo Caption:
TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain
Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.
The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new
administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.
In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.
The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.
Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.
Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.
Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s
leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.
The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.
Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.
Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM
Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.
CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.
Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.
“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.
“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity,
such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”
Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.
“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.
Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.
Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.
Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.
“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.
