The number of air passengers flying into and out of Montserrat has declined over the past seven years, according to the latest government data.
During the period of 2023 to 2024, there were just 11,388 journeys recorded. This is down 4,231 from 15,619 passengers during the 2017 to 2018 period – a drop of 27%.
A table detailing passenger numbers between Montserrat and Antigua was published in the government’s tender invite for additional flight services connecting Montserrat to other Caribbean islands.
The bidding process for qualified operators to provide new air transport services opened on 18 September. Interested parties have until 16 October to apply.
The table, which spans seven years, shows a gradual decline in passengers from 2017 to 2024. The period of 2022 to 2023 is missing.
The decrease is punctuated by a marked dip in passengers from 2020 to 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and associated restrictions.
And while the number of passengers recovers substantially during 2023 to 2024, it does not return to pre-pandemic levels.
The table shows that March, August and November were the busiest periods for air travel during 2023 and 2024, when the St Patrick’s Festival, school summer holidays and Montserrat Carnival took place.
The months of January, February, April, May and October saw the least number of air passengers flying in and out of the island.
Currently the two airlines that fly routes in and out of Montserrat are Fly Montserrat and SVG Air.
Ferry passengers
Meanwhile, ferry passenger numbers were seen to be steadily increasing from 2017 to 2019, rising from 21,884 in 2017, to 22,605 in 2018 and 24,769 in 2019.
The numbers dropped substantially during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, 2021 and 2022, and did not recover in 2023 and 2024 due to limited available services.
On 30 April, this year, the government’s short term contract with the owners of the V2V Empress came to an end and passenger ferry services stopped running between Montserrat and Antigua.
Just the month prior, however, Premier Joseph E Farrell had assured the public that the government would be retaining ferry services for another year.
During a live broadcast interview with the Government Information Unit, he said the government would be signing a $17 million contract with the ferry operator.
However, this did not take place.
In June, the Access Division asked companies to reach out if they have the capacity to supply sea transport services for Montserrat during high season and beyond.
In a proposal document published on the government’s tender website, the department said its aim was to gauge interest among maritime passenger and cargo transport providers.
We had planned to visit Montserrat this December. With no ferry from Antigua we have deferred our visit. When you have a reliable ferry we will try and visit