“Is wa really a go on inna da place ya?” An Investigation into Sustainable Aviation in the Caribbean
The Caribbean, consisting of Small Island Developing States and spanning over 7,000 islands and continental territories, is a diverse and culturally rich region. Thanks to its tropical allure, it ranks among the world's premier tourist destinations, with both international visitors and locals heavily reliant on air travel as their primary mode of transportation. In contrast to other transportation sectors that have made substantial strides in mitigating their environmental footprint, aviation lags behind. To address the environmental challenges posed by the aviation industry, experts have championed the concept of sustainable aviation. This approach seeks to strike a balance between promoting economic growth, fostering social progress, and safeguarding the environment. Despite a growing body of literature on sustainable aviation, its impact on the Caribbean has been largely overlooked. This research aims to investigate the development of sustainable aviation in the Caribbean and develop recommendations for sustainable aviation that would foster the development of both the aviation sector and the region as a whole. Recognizing the pivotal role of various aviation stakeholders in shaping the industry's trajectory, this study is grounded in stakeholder theory. Key stakeholders within the aviation domain were identified, encompassing air navigation service providers, airline suppliers, airlines, airports, aviation regulators, the business community, educational and training institutions, financial services, governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, passengers, tourism partners, and unions. The findings underscore the significance of aviation in propelling economic growth and social advancement in the Caribbean. However, the industry faces multifaceted challenges that have led to a decline in intra-regional travel. Additionally, while the concept of sustainable aviation is acknowledged, a lack of policies and practices impede its development. It is noteworthy that the regional aviation stakeholders maintain a positive rapport, suggesting that collaborative efforts hold promise for achieving sustainable aviation goals. The thesis’ recommendations entail the development of a sustainable aviation strategy for the Caribbean, the establishment of a regional aviation governing body, and a re-evaluation of the definition of sustainable aviation.
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