The CARICOM Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA) will be in focus at the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Bridgetown, Barbados, from 19 – 21 February 2025, under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.
Transportation is one of the key items on the Heads’ agenda which also includes the CARICOM Single Market and Economy for which Prime Minister Mottley holds lead responsibility in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet; CARICOM agri-food systems and regional food and nutrition security, climate change and climate finance; the Digital Skills Commission; and reparations.
Dr. Pauline Yearwood, Deputy Programme Manager, Transportation, at the CARICOM Secretariat, said the Heads of Government will place emphasis on the movement of aviation personnel, and developments under the MASA.
The MASA, she explained, is the most important air transport reform policy initiative of CARICOM that establishes a single market for air transport services within the Community and creates a liberalised environment consistent with the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and emerging World Trade Organization (WTO) aviation policies. The Agreement is in force among 12 Member States. In addition, eight air carriers of the Community and one helicopter service have been designated pursuant to Article 6(1) of the Agreement.
Dr. Yearwood explains the background to the discussion of Heads:
