CASTRIES, St. Lucia (CMC): The St. Lucian Government said Thursday it would not bow to pressure to abandon a new American Eagle shuttle service to Barbados by August.

Tourism Minister Senator Allen Chastanet's declaration came in the face of opposition from St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, the Caribbean Community's lead prime minister on air and maritime transport. Mr. Gonsales said the new service would seriously affect regional carrier, LIAT, which is owned by three Caribbean governments. Chastanet said the John Compton administration would continue efforts to land the new American Eagle service primarily in light of increased airfares and reduced tourist arrivals to St. Lucia in 2005, which cost the island EC$220 million (US$82.5 million) in revenue.