The government shareholders were the biggest free-riders. The true begining of any “new” regional Caribbean airline is with the COLLAPSING of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation. We in the caribbean could create our own tourism but for those taxes. Country of origin: | Airline Code: LI . Your truly COMBERMARIAN. The many airport taxes, the short routes , the operational cost on these routes, the load factor caused by the cost of inter island travel and the list goes on. Unfortunately the bickering has started. Caribbean regional airline, LIAT (LI, Antigua), currently in administration, is to relaunch on November 1, 2020, according to the Office of the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. It comes after months of losses due to the coronavirus alongside a particularly unprofitable 2019. He had no employees in these Island neither did he own any infrastructure and had no Unions to deal with. Aviation. Head quarters. Who cares? “What I’m hoping that we do not have going forward with the new entity, is any squabble over the location of the headquarters,” Browne said. Next, those fairies that sit in the cockpits of LIAT should be left OUT of the decision making process of what aircraft suits LIAT’s mandate, which should be first and foremost MAKING MONEY, while providing affordable service. The primary focus should be on getting the entire Caribbean region running quickly with an effective and efficient regional air service. He was LIAT’s sole employee, operating one three-seater Piper Apache aircraft flying between Antigua and Montserrat. If for no other reason let it be for students attending universities, persons attending sporting events and some of us who prefer to do vacations in the beautiful Caribbean. It’s not that important for Antigua, Barbados, St. Vincent, or who ever else to have their own airline. Wet lease and entire airline and give them concessions and viola new entity starts tomorrow. LIAT will closely monitor this rapidly changing situation and issue regular advisories to the public. The inconvenience of time. To be entitled to a compensation, LIAT Airlines delayed flight must be higher than 3 hours. New name, same game. Stop looking to place blame … Look Forward. Does not help the situation here. One of those reasons could be that the fares fares are too high to travel between the islands it service. Or Regional Connection Airlines (RCA). He appointed agents in each Island who received a commission on their sales of tickets and who operated the Airport counter and ramp staff. Don’t matter how you cut it, Barbados will not be burden with putting out the lion share of Dollars while others get FREE service. A point of focus should be solving a simple issue…. Governments need to revisit the number of different taxes included in the cost to the passenger with a view to making air travel affordable and attractive. I am sure you are aware that it is all expatriates we’re at the helm of LIAT. Please complete the highlighted departing date field(s) below. Thanks to their country’s management of the pandemic, some were allowed back earlier than others. When are we going learn in the Caribbean that we should stop fighting each other and share? For many years they have taken passengers for granted, with high ticket cost and a dismal punctual record. You not only loosing an airline but also tax dollars..be fair to the share dear governments, we need an airline, no question so pull up your sleeves..talk alone would not help.. Overjoyed to hear this crap airline has gone bust. The percentage of millennials traveling on Liat Airlines flights was 41%. Think about your people and the opportunity you want to create for them. Until the Board recognizes these issues, there will be no change. Rossiya Russian Airlines The headquarters should be moved as well. Love you all. I’m all for a new start. Those destinations will likely be announced later this week. Caribbean News Service (CNS) — LIAT’s major shareholders have reached an agreement, which Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne said could see the airline flying again “in 60 to 90 days.” The shareholder, which also includes the governments of Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica, met virtually late on Monday for Browne […] Dictator Comrade Fat Ralph “Ganja Man” now has Argyle, SVG Air and One Caribbean on site, and no longer needs LIAT. Sorry Browne, if you ain’t got no dog in the fight, you can’t determine where to build the kennel. Your email address will not be published. I hope this situation is fixed fast. We can not go on willy-nilly soaking the Tax Payer and then wasting the funds. Leeward Islands Air Transport Services was founded by the late Kittician (now Sir) Frank Delisle in Montserrat on 20 October 1956 and began flying with a single Piper Apache operating between Antigua and Montserrat. LIAT, in a release dated December 5, said the airline has valid flight approvals which have not expired. make it so that when I purchase a ticket from St Lucia to Dominica or Grenada true price isn’t comparable to travel to NYC! Although I can share some sentiments aired on this platform, I must ask the question; are some of you people for real. Also they would need to look at the possibility of having mix fleet of aircraft depending on the passenger traffic available on certain routes. LIAT Airlines has expanded its fly range of domestic and international routes in conjunction with its code-share partners. Caribbean regional airline, LIAT, has insisted that it will continue operations, despite local media reports that the airline is on the verge of collapse. LIAT should have never used the ATR-42 airplanes in the first place. Learn how your comment data is processed. About 80% goes to government taxes and 20 % to LIAT. Featured Destination: Antigua Featured Destination: Antigua put in money it is as a private entity) New Management (not influenced by gov)…HQ where it you get the best ROI… Airlineratings.com presents our independent LIAT safety ratings and reviews. On the issue of ECCA, a regional body of civil aviation law that matches the FAA of the US must, shall and will be constructed and mannned by QUALIFIED and dedicated personnel so Caribbean aviation can be in par at all levels. LIAT should be relocated as the first order on the agenda whenever a new airline is formed , you Minister Brown you had a chance to put your money where your mouth is and only because you was getting free milk you declined.Antigua is one of the least shareholders with over two third of LIAT’s employees from Antigua , do the maths PM Brown , the time has come for you to carry your own oats and stop manipulating your Caricom partners . Over the years the approach management took cannot work in this modern world. If it going to be a fight for HQ then just deep for a special symbols each country have three tries to get it. He was LIAT’s sole employee, operating one three-seater Piper Apache aircraft flying between Antigua and Montserrat. Meanwhile, the carrier operates a 747-400, also over 30 years old, currently flying domestically between Kerman and Tehran. leaving the opportunity for entrepreneurs or other airlines to fill in the gaps. The departing dates must occur after the previous departing date. This is clearly not acceptable and it is not rocket science to have better routes and schedules. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Browne said the formation of the new entity must be done swiftly. It is time LIAT is properly restructured, and is actually run like a for profit business. outrageous. Speaking on local radio, Browne said that COVID-19 had not helped the Airline’s financial state. Technology and rapid communication render location unimportant . Required fields are marked *. I would like to suggest that prior to any new undertaking that the governments of the various islands agree to substantially lower taxes and fees also if possible assist in negotiating fuel prices which constitute a significant operational cost. I have multiple times ( 8 ) conveyed to LIAT ticket agents - boarding agents - flight attendants & LIAT supervisors that LIAT is jeopardizing my 3 day vacation in an effort for LIAT to show empathy & provide us Priority boarding. Hopefully the time is NOW. I understand Browne’s position from the post… Secure Antiguans positions and compensations as they are probably the largest employment base… However, my expectation with the new entity is that the “Caribbean Airline” can not have Leeward Islands in its title… LiAT has to go… If my tax will be part of the new entity, it has to reflect the entire Caribbean… GRENADA included… I suggest the new name to be “Caribe Airways” or “Air Caribe”…, Instead of focusing solely on air transport, Caribbean governments should partner with Tesla to develop solar- and battery-powered ferries for inter-island travel…. BY DEAN GREEFNAWAY Special to The Daily News 2 min ago TORTOLA — Troubled regional airline LIAT, which faced liquidation earlier this year, has … I still have faith. LIAT to resume flying Nov. 1. Fix this fast. maybe Mr. AYRE, the islands new Stanford has expressed great interest? (Make it a capital offense). Trinidadian politicians and CAL management have already made it crystal clear that any routes they fly MUST make money, so whether they get sweetheart seat subsidies or they charge excessive fares – or even operate the routes you want to fly at all – will be a Trinidadian decision which has nothing whatsoever to do with our needs. That is because y’all prices are Air Transportation is a very costly business enterprise, particularly maintenance, which is governed by International Regulatory Agencies. 1. We will always fight for the crumbs that is falling out the plate of the super powers of the world because we cannot even act like we are together. Are we just satisfied with having graduates for the same of degrees? Back to taking boats to migrate between the Caribbean region. In a globalised world we will ALL suffer alone. LIAT had previously announced services to Barbados and SVG and was scheduled to begin flights as last Monday, Nov. 30. The end of LIAT as is…………………..Thank you. If we continue to procrastinate on ‘headquarters location’ as the focus of the discussion together with all the faults attributed to LIAT from 1956 (groan) we will continue to go around in circles getting nowhere, meanwhile the whole region suffers. The airline’s CEO has rebuffed claims from media in one of the carrier’s home countries of Barbados, that the airline was about to run out of money. It offers the best deals for a LIAT flight between Antigua and Grenada. Simple consideration should go to getting different size aircraft, so the appropriate size craft can service the routs that has small travel number tickets sold on a first come basis until the route regular travel numbers increase. These Caribbean rogues like all the African rogues can only fail and bring misery to the Islands they hold power in. The airline has therefore made the decision to temporarily suspend services to these destinations while these new arrangements are being finalised,” LIAT said in its latest statement. Gloria Paul. When it’s needed, the money will come! You are going to have significant job losses, there’s no doubt about it. Governments will have to pay there debts ! Let us FLY the Caribbean and not SAIL the Caribbean. One of the things that annoyed me deeply a few years ago was to hear chairman Dr Gansalves declare that Liat cannot be profitable. Compare LIAT ticket prices and find the best flight for you! “And that is why you need this level of creditor cooperation in order to ensure that we can form a new entity,” Browne said. It’s time for LIAT to move back to Barbados. Essentially, the governments collect exorbitant taxes which prohibits travel much to the poor financial performance of the airline, only to pump it back into the airline down the road to keep it flying. Airlines in the Caribbean should be competitive in order to help make the cost of flying more affordable, especially for locals, and tourists alike. When too many hands are in the pot, you will end up with a disastrous outcome. Bye Bye Antigua. So get rid of all the taxes for at least three years to give the airline a chance to become profitable There must be an efficient connection system, to ensure these passenger are connected to their destination with the least expenses to the company and travelers. The Prime Minister said there will be a meeting of all shareholders shortly to discuss collapsing LIAT. Didn’t covid teach us anything. I have started a social media campaign to highlight Liat”s predicament. How are the Caribbean doing politically? vote out parties and replace them with another that do the same with no positive results. For quite some time now LIAT has been in trouble financially. Someone said customer service first ok let us peg that as #1 now add to the list what are the next 6 things we need to create a successful airline. Politicians have made it impossible for an airline to provide either. After being shuttered for months, regional Caribbean carrier LIAT has returned to flying. Please go do research before posting negative comments. It makes no sense to continue pumping money in an unprofitable enterprise. St John’s – The cash-strapped regional airline, LIAT, Monday resumed its commercial schedule with flights operating to a limited number of destinations. That Virgin Atlantic invests in LIAT is said to have been talked about during Branson’s meeting with officials last week (w/c 29/04/19).. LIAT introduces the following baggage fees What hasn’t changed is the world’s love affair with the Caribbean — and while intrepid travelers have already been returning to the region’s shores, demand (and arrival numbers) are …, The 50 Best Restaurants in the Caribbean – 2021, The 25 Best All-Inclusive Resorts to Visit in 2021, The 15 Best Caribbean Beach Bars for 2021. Why he has not been rotated out as Chairman, as all regional leaders are, is a complete mystery, and smacks deeply of political corruption. The Administrator confirmed the […] LIAT 2974 Ltd. Will be liquidated, the first question we must asked and find answer to here is: how did PM Browne arrived to this conclusion? I thought he should have simply resigned and say HE cannot make Liat profitable… simply because he is a socialist and Liat needed to be managed like a managed like a commercial entity…. Please correct the departing date(s). The Prime Minister made the point that LIAT does not have sufficient assets to satisfy the requirements or claims of most of its creditors, including the airline’s employees. And instead of one airline , at least two as competition keeps you on your toes. As far as am aware Barbados had or have the majority shares in the airline. Surely not a sustainable situation. Airline Image IATA ICAO Callsign Commenced operations Notes Air Charter Scotland Europe: SCO: 2020: Air CM Global: RJR: Melita: 2016: Air Horizont: HAT: SKY RUNNER 1. The airline will operate flights five days a week to destinations across the LIAT network. Hope it s not an old present in a new wrapper. But what may replace it – Caribbean Airlines – may be worse for the rest of us. From the time Liat started not making a profit something needed to change. This is very evident by the number of major Airlines that are surviving only because of their massive Government subsidies. For considerations, let us look at the take-off and landing stresses because of the regions’ geographical makeup; certainly these conditions have not helped. Private enterprise without Government interference but with negotiated Nav/Com costs and reasonable Landings Fees and Ticket Taxes is the only way forward and that is in normal times!…with COVID-19 all bets are off that any Airline can survive until the World returns to some level of normalcy. Tweet. Were all possibilities examine? A new Caribbean Airline, managed efficiently as a private entity makes sense, although it will be at the demise of LIAT. Empty seats ensures a grounded airline. people of Antigua where most employees reside will suffer the most. In the end, I decided on Caribbean Airlines for my outward bound flight and LIAT for my return. This statement comes from the Chief Executive Officer, Julie ReiferJones in response to recent media reports about the airline. All now I want to attend a conference in Jamaica in August. This is one of the reasons LIAT have failed to become profitable over the last four (4) decades; because it has, a ready source of financial bail out, each time it’s needed, so why apply business sense or diligent business practice in running LIAT? This LIAT Airlines flight schedule should give you a fair idea of their flights operating across the world. His costs were his Pilots,flight attendants and engineers and his hanger rental and thus was he able to be profitable. With the acquisition in 1957 of 75 percent of the airline by the larger, better known BWIA, LIAT was able to expand to other Caribbean destinations and to obtain new aircraft types, such as the Beechcraft Bonanza and de Havilland Heron. Barbadians cry out for LIAT to be based there, but on a practical note there are THREE very good reasons why Barbados should NOT be the new airline’s Head Office – PM Browne speaks like he is already aware of the new owners…. What are the best business course of actions available to ensure, the least financial impact on or to shareholders? LIAT; IATA LI: ICAO LIA: Callsign LIAT: Airline Full Name: Leeward Islands Air Transport Services: Country: Antigua And Barbuda: Airline Founded : 20 Sep 1956: Base / Main Hub: Saint John's, Antigua V.C. We’ve tried to compile and simplify airways information to help you in booking your air tickets and plan your complete trip. In some cases the fares are just a few dollars different to places like Canada and the U S. There are a lot of persons wanting to travel through the Caribbean but after comparing fares option to travel else where. Under tremendous odds, LIAT has served this region well, particularly with its safety record. As we have seen during Covid, much of what we do now is ‘virtual’, so do we really need to be squabbling about headquarters location in 2020, rather than uniting as one people to make the region profitable and sustainable? He was LIAT’s sole employee, operating one three-seater Piper Apache aircraft flying between Antigua and Montserrat. I mean no one has been able to come up with one viable solution. There is a new 19 seater in If you don’t know about the LIAT Airlines flight cancellation fee for international flights, then go through the below instructions: LIAT Airlines cancellation fee of $100 to $500 is applicable if ticket cancellation requests made after the 24 hours as a risk-free cancellation. Lets get regional travel started as soon as possible so we can get our economies walking again. Browne is wrong – a cooperation between islands is simply unrealistic, for example look at the current LIAT. No snack or beverage service; No in flight entertainment; Baggage allowance of 23kg; Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) was founded on September 20th 1956; … Liat has had misfortunes for too long. Start fresh and give the Caribbean people value for their money and respect of time. Lie-at is more about corrupt politricks than giving good air travel service. Which airlines are flying to Cyprus? LIAT to resume flights to BVI on December 31. Pin. While Browne makes some sense, he only represents one voice out of many shareholders. LIAT never explored the option of using small, cost effective airplanes, expanding routes, and taking advantage of routes where they had no competition. Newsflash. pray and look to God and stop all the worrying and anxiety. What’s the sense. If by liquidating LIAT and starting fresh means reasonable fares through the islands and on time departures I am for it. His strangle hold will be removed completely. “A decision will have to be made to collapse it and then maybe the countries within the region will have to come together to form a new entity,” Browne added. Customers should Come first not last. I rationalised that if the CA flight due to depart at around 8.45 was late, I could spend hours there, whereas if I took the afternoon LIAT fight, even with cancellations, that I stood a reasonably good chance of arriving in Barbados before midnight. When Frank Delisle founded LIAT he recognized that an Airline in the Caribbean can only function cost effectively and efficiently if its Overhead Costs are kept to a minimum. I am in full agreement with David Bristol. “And these creditors, including the staff of LIAT, have to understand that there will have to be some level of cooperation to include possibly some cuts on their liabilities in order to facilitate the creation of a new, viable and sustainable entity,” Browne said. 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