Summary: The CTO Air Connectivity Summit will convene in Bermuda on 24 February 2026, assembling tourism ministers, airline and airport executives to focus on strengthening regional and long‑haul air access as part of the CTO Reimagine Plan.

The CTO Air Connectivity Summit will take place on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, in Hamilton, Bermuda, bringing together senior tourism ministers, airline leaders and airport authorities to examine ways to enhance both intra‑Caribbean routes and international air services.

Event overview and objectives

Hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) in partnership with the Government of Bermuda, the one‑day summit — titled “Integrating Aviation and Regional Tourism Development” — is part of the CTO’s Spring Business Meetings and aligns with its Reimagine Plan and Airlift Committee workstream.

Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary‑General and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, highlighted the convening power of the meeting ahead of the event.

This summit brings together the people making decisions that directly shape how the region connects with itself and the world,

Bermuda was chosen as the host following recent aviation developments there — including the launch of BermudAir — and because the island maintains year‑round tourism operations that can frame discussions on both regional and long‑haul connectivity.

Programme highlights and speakers

The summit agenda includes the CTO Air Connectivity Study presentation by Edmond Rose, Consulting Director of Aviation at ASM Global Route Development, and opening remarks from Bermuda and regional officials.

  • Opening remarks: Owen Darrell (Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, Bermuda), Ian Gooding‑Edghill (Chairman, CTO Ministerial Council; Minister of Tourism & International Transport, Barbados), Dona Regis‑Prosper, and Erin Wright (COO & Acting CEO, Bermuda Tourism Authority).
  • Panel sessions: “Airside Chat” discussions on route development and regional air services with representatives from American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Contour Aviation, BermudAir, interCaribbean Airways, Sunrise Airways and others.
  • Ministerial dialogue: A session titled “Regional Skies – Ministerial Dialogue” featuring ministers from St. Lucia, Sint Maarten, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Bermuda, moderated by Beverly Nicholson‑Doty.
Delegates and airline representatives at a Caribbean aviation summit discussing route development and air connectivity
Industry leaders will meet at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club in Bermuda to discuss air connectivity across the Caribbean

Panels on infrastructure and visitor experience

A dedicated panel brings together infrastructure and visitor‑experience stakeholders, featuring representatives from Airports Council International – Latin America and the Caribbean, the Bermuda Airport Authority, the BVI Airports Authority, the Bermuda Hotel Association and SITA to address airport operations and guest services.

Summit reflections will be led by Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism for the Cayman Islands and Chair of the CTO Airlift Committee, with closing remarks from William “Billy” Griffith, Chairman of the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

Expected outcomes and next steps

Organisers aim to use the summit to align policy makers, airport operators and carriers around actionable measures to boost sustainable tourism growth through better air connectivity, and to inform ongoing regional route development strategies.

For travelers and the travel industry, the summit could translate into improved flight choices, more reliable intra‑Caribbean connections and coordinated efforts to support year‑round tourism. Strengthened air links also have implications for visa policy coordination, market access and seasonal capacity planning.

So what? The outcomes of the CTO Air Connectivity Summit may shape flight availability and route planning across the Caribbean — travelers should watch for new or expanded services following the summit, while industry stakeholders can expect a renewed focus on coordinated, sustainable airlift solutions.