[Peter Paul Media] — The final flight of BWIA West Indies Airways on December 31, 2006, from Miami to Port of Spain brought down the curtain on more than six decades of Caribbean aviation history.
Once celebrated as “the only way to fly,” BWIA was formally grounded after years of financial turbulence, paving the way for a new national carrier: Caribbean Airlines.
The transition was more than a change of name. BWIA had carried generations of Caribbean travelers since its first flight in 1940, linking Trinidad, Barbados and Tobago at a time when regional connections were scarce.
Over the years, it expanded into North America and Europe, flying jets like the Boeing 727 and Lockheed Tristar while becoming a symbol of independence and regional pride.
Pride could not erase losses. BWIA was nationalized in the 1960s and repeatedly bailed out as debts climbed. Brief profits in the late 1990s offered hope but rising fuel costs, global downturns and fierce competition left the airline hemorrhaging money. By the mid-2000s, BWIA was losing about a million U.S. dollars each month.
The government’s solution was decisive: shut down BWIA and start fresh. Caribbean Airlines was created as a state-owned carrier, inheriting BWIA’s routes, staff and even its international code but without the crushing liabilities. Its hummingbird tail replaced BWIA’s green and gold, promising a clean slate for Caribbean aviation.
The Caribbean Airlines Era
Caribbean Airlines officially began operating on January 1, 2007, with a fleet of Boeing 737-800s and a promise to provide reliable service without the heavy financial baggage of its predecessor. The early years focused on stabilizing routes to the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and South America, where demand was strongest.
By 2010, the airline had begun using ATR turboprops for shorter inter-island flights, improving efficiency on regional routes. A year later, Caribbean Airlines made one of its boldest moves: absorbing the operations of Air Jamaica. That decision expanded its network into North America and the wider Caribbean, solidifying its role as the largest carrier based in the region.
The airline carried over three million passengers annually during its peak years and became known for maintaining crucial links to major diaspora hubs like New York, Toronto, and Miami.
Despite its size, Caribbean Airlines also positioned itself as a community airline, emphasizing regional connectivity between islands often underserved by international carriers.
Challenges in a new century
Caribbean Airlines has not been free of difficulties. Rising jet fuel costs, fluctuating currency values, and seasonal tourism demand have placed financial pressure on the company. Several long-haul routes, including London service, were eventually dropped because they proved too costly. Like BWIA, CAL has relied at times on government support to steady its operations.
Still, the airline has worked to modernize. Its Boeing 737 fleet has been upgraded with newer, more fuel-efficient models. The ATR fleet allows it to serve smaller islands economically. Management has focused on streamlining routes, strengthening partnerships, and maintaining a competitive presence in North American markets where the Caribbean diaspora provides steady demand.
Legacy and Continuity
For many in the region, the story of Caribbean Airlines is inseparable from the memory of BWIA. CAL inherited much more than aircraft and routes—it inherited the cultural role of being the region’s lifeline. Students traveling abroad, families visiting relatives, and tourists seeking island escapes have all relied on its services.
While BWIA was remembered for its signature green and gold livery and its tagline of pride, Caribbean Airlines has embraced its hummingbird symbol to reflect resilience and renewal. Though the business structure is new, the mission is the same: to connect Caribbean people across seas and borders.
Looking Ahead
Today, Caribbean Airlines continues to balance ambition with financial caution. Its goals are to maintain efficient inter-island links, strengthen profitable North American routes, and explore selective expansion into Latin America. The airline has also embraced digital upgrades, customer loyalty programs, and stronger cargo services to diversify revenue.
The skies over the Caribbean are no less turbulent than they were in BWIA’s time. Yet Caribbean Airlines, with its hummingbird emblem, still represents the region’s determination to stay connected. For travelers across the islands and the diaspora, it remains more than just an airline—it is a bridge between homes, cultures, and opportunities.
Peter Paul Media 