interCaribbean Airways' founder awarded honourary degree by UWI


Mr. Gardiner was one of two honourees recognized during UWI Cave Hill Campus’ graduation ceremony on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
This degree recognises Mr. Gardiner's transformative contributions to the aviation sector and regional development across the Caribbean, a press release from interCaribbean on October 20, 2025, said.
It was as conferred in acknowledgment of his over three decades of visionary leadership in building the region's largest privately-owned airline network and his unwavering commitment to Caribbean connectivity and community development.
Deeply humbling
“This recognition from The University of the West Indies is deeply humbling…My journey began with a simple dream of flying- to connect our Caribbean islands and make travel accessible to all our people. Today, that dream continues to take flight through the dedication of our entire interCaribbean family,” Mr. Gardiner said following the ceremony.
The UWI Council cited Mr. Gardiner's remarkable journey from humble beginnings in Bottle Creek, North Caicos, to establishing interCaribbean Airways as the Caribbean's premier regional carrier, now serving 27 destinations across 17 countries and territories.
His bold leadership during the 2020 pandemic, when he expanded operations into seven new countries while competitors retreated, demonstrating unwavering faith in Caribbean unity and growth, was also highlighted in the citation.
Beyond his business achievements, Mr. Gardiner was recognised for his philanthropic initiatives, including the establishment of the Manville Gardiner Memorial Scholarship at UWI, named in honour of his late brother. The scholarship annually supports five Caribbean students pursuing aviation careers. His community engagement extends to medical transport partnerships with the World Pediatric Project, youth mentorship and disaster relief efforts across the region.
His leadership created strengthened bonds
Family members and representatives from the extended interCaribbean family, as well as close associates who have supported Mr. Gardiner’s vision of regional connectivity over the past three decades, showed their support by joining him at the ceremony.
Chief Executive Officer of interCaribbean Airways, Mr. Trevor Sadler said Mr. Gardiner’s story embodies the Caribbean spirit of determination, innovation, and community care.
"His leadership has not only built this airline but has strengthened bonds between our island communities and created opportunities for thousands of Caribbean people across the region," Mr Sadler said.


1 Response to “interCaribbean Airways' founder awarded honourary degree by UWI”
It is a fraught business running an airline, but you have kept it going when others (including those back by Governments) have failed.
Can you start fling from EIS to MIA and give AA some competition on fares?