In its first meeting of the new year, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has swiftly moved to take action on several issues.
Among them was the decision to suspend flights from West Africa into Antigua and Barbuda.
The move to suspend the charter flights was initiated by the new minister of immigration, Steadroy Benjamin.
Cabinet spokesman, Melford Nicholas said that in part, the decision was made in order to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority and national visa and other requirements.
Minister Nicholas also acknowledged that some of the African visitors who arrived on the flights from West Africa, which began last year on Independence Day, remain in the country.
Their presence in the country, and challenges with leaving, created significant debate in the lead up to the elections of 18th January, including accusations of human trafficking.
While the allegation of human trafficking has been dismissed, another issue was identified.
Minister Nicholas said intelligence available to the government suggests that there may have been plans by some of the people arriving to use Antigua and Barbuda as a hub through which they would make connections to South America and then onward to countries in North America and Europe.
Nicholas said the government moved to suspend the service to ensure there is no abuse of the government’s desire to open up direct travel between the African continent and the Caribbean.
