Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Calls for Open Skies Policy

Hugh Riley, the secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).

Hugh Riley, the secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), recently urged regional authorities in the Caribbean to institute an Open Skies policy and to eliminate secondary screening at Caribbean airports wherever possible.

Riley argues that an Open Skies policy would allow regional carriers to take unlimited flights to all Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states and encourage the growth of competition among carriers. Riley also contends that the elimination of secondary screening would encourage greater demand for intra-regional travel.

He has also called for improved interline arrangements for a “vastly enhanced” baggage transfer and improved passenger experience.

In an address at the recent airline route development forum, World Routes 2015 in Durban, South Africa, Riley also made a plea for collaboration in a number of areas, including intelligence sharing with the use of the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), and security processing.

“Cooperation in these areas will encourage and facilitate greater investment by airlines into and across the Caribbean region," he said. "Better connectivity means greater economic benefits."

Riley’s attendance at the event was aimed at elevating the Caribbean brand; exploring opportunities for the Caribbean; presenting the prospects for expansion and improvement of connectivity within the Caribbean; and discussing challenges facing regional and global aviation and offering solutions. He also highlighted the work of the CTO Aviation Task Force as a facilitator within the Caribbean and beyond.

“I was pleased with the extremely high quality of the interactions we made in Durban and the level of interest there is in the Caribbean," he said.

Visit www.OneCaribbean.org.