LIAT Air Confirms New Routes: Panama, Belize & Colombia

LIAT Air Confirms New Routes to Panama, Belize and Colombia as the Antigua-based airline enters a new phase of regional and international growth. The carrier says these destinations will strengthen Caribbean connectivity and open new travel links across Central and South America.

CEO Hafsah Abdulsalam said the new routes support the airline’s mission to expand responsibly. She noted that Panama is expected to be the first launch, with Colombia and Belize following as fleet capacity improves.

Regional Growth as LIAT Air Confirms New Routes

Abdulsalam outlined that the airline will focus on building a stronger regional network before adding long-haul flights. Africa remains a future ambition, but LIAT’s immediate priority is improving service within the Caribbean.

A major component of this strategy is deeper collaboration with Air Peace. The airline aims to finalise an interline agreement that allows passengers to book one ticket and connect seamlessly between both carriers.

New Airline Partnerships to Support Expansion

LIAT is also negotiating with several international carriers. These talks could create additional interline deals that offer travellers smoother onward connections outside the region. Abdulsalam said the discussions are progressing and expects at least one major partnership to be confirmed by year-end.

Exploring the Toronto Market

The airline sees potential in the Toronto route and views Canada as a strong opportunity for growth. However, this service will require a larger aircraft type than the airline currently operates.

Flights to the United States remain paused until the Eastern Caribbean regains FAA Category 1 status. The restoration of this rating is essential before LIAT can pursue U.S. approvals.

Fleet Expansion to Support New Routes

To deliver on its expansion, LIAT plans to increase its fleet. A new narrow-body aircraft is expected, but delays linked to global engine shortages continue to affect the timeline. Abdulsalam said progress will accelerate as soon as engine supply issues ease.

If plans hold, LIAT aims to operate around seven aircraft next year. This would give the airline the capacity needed to support its Panama, Belize and Colombia routes and future destinations.