Premier Reuben Meade has said the government is unlikely to be able to offer subsidies for flights between Montserrat and Antigua this December due to inherited budget issues.
“We unfortunately cannot just say, okay, bam, we’re going to put money there, because we just don’t have it. It’s not in the budget,” he said.
The former government agreed to pay EC$200 per flight to Fly Montserrat or SVG Air from June to October this year which would be passed on to the customer as a discount.
It was introduced after the Access Division announced on 30 April that the ferry service between Antigua to Montserrat had concluded.
Former premier Joseph E Farrell had assured the public that the service would be running for another year – at a cost of $17 million – but this plan was later withdrawn.
Following its election on 24 October, Meade’s new government stretched the subsidy into November, but there has been no indication since of any further extension.
Speaking during an interview on ZJB Radio on Friday, 6 December, the premier said his government would “very much love” to be able to provide subsidies for the fares in December and beyond.
“We had indicated we’d much prefer to have a single fare from January through to December, but again, we can only work with the budget that we have found in place,” he said.
“When we go into negotiations with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office in January, that will be something on the table which we will be ensuring that we get.”
In the same interview, Meade said his government had been unable to secure a public ferry service from Antigua despite promises to have it in place for the festive season.
Both Fly Montserrat and SVG Air will be conducting their regular flight schedules throughout December.
As of 9 December, the cost of a single flight from Antigua to Montserrat on Fly Montserrat ranged from US$173 to $236.80, and on SVG Air it ranged from $158.10 to $198.10.
The airlines will be working to put on additional flights where it is possible, however, this is dependent on passenger demand.
The Access Division is asking anyone who does not have a booking to reach out with preferred travel dates and times to accessmni@gov.ms or (664) 491-3378 or WhatsApp (664) 392-3600.
