Member Biography

Alva Romanus Baptiste represents Laborie constituency in the House of Assembly for the Saint Lucia Labour Party. He is currently serving as Minister for External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation, and Diaspora Affairs.

Early life and education

Baptise obtained training in International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) courses in Approach and Aerodrome Control and Certificate in Meteorological Observation at Transport Canada Training Institute (TCTI), as well as certification in other areas from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); US Department of Homeland Security; and the Trinidad & Tobago Aviation Security Training Centre

Baptiste holds a BSc in Aviation Business Administration and a Minor in Psychology from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida.

He also holds a Masters of Science in Air Transport Management from Cranfield University, United Kingdom (2002 – 2003). The topic of his thesis was: The Economic Impact of Rationalising St. Lucia’s Airport Infrastructure: Feasibility of Making Hewanorra International Airport a Gateway to OECS States.

Career

Alva Baptise is an Aviation and Air Transport expert with more than 20 years of experience. Within the industry he has Air Traffic Control Assistant (1985 – 1986); Air Traffic Control Officer (1988 – 1997); Assistant Airport Manager: Hewanorra International Airport (2001 – 2002); and Civil Aviation Officer: Ministry of Civil Aviation, St. Lucia (2003 – 2005).

Baptiste has been the Parliamentary Representative for Laborie for the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) since 2006. He was Minister of External Affairs, International Trade & Civil Aviation in the 2011-2016 Kenny Anthony Administration.