The chairman of the newly created airline, LIAT 2020, Ambassador Daven Joseph,
said the airline will have a ‘vastly different’ business plan as it prepares to begin
operations from its Antigua and Barbuda home-base.
Ambassador Joseph made the assessment in recognition that since demise of LIAT
(1974) Ltd., several other regional airlines have been filling the void by providing
air services to many of the destinations that the now defunct airline once served.
His comments were made with the knowledge that the regional airline market has
changed remarkably since LIAT (1974) Ltd. scaled down operations before it
ceased all operations earlier this year.
“What would be apt for LIAT 2020, is that realising the mistakes that were made
in air transportation in the region and to correct that, and what we have for the new
airline is the ability to offer competitive prices than the other airlines so we are
ensuring that we keep the operations nimble, but effective and safe along with
proper customer service,” he stated.
LIAT 2020 is in the process of attaining its Air Operator’s Certificate through a
process being handled by the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority
(ECCAA).
One airline official, Hafsah Abdul-Salam, who represents the majority owner of
the airline, Air Peace out of Nigeria, announced last week that St. Lucia and St.
Kitts are the two islands to which the airline will commence service following the
acquisition of the AOC’s.
LIAT 2020 has long-term plans to operate flights as far south as Suriname and as
far north as Miami. Already, the airline has two 50-seater E-145 jet aircraft with
the expectation that a 120-seater jet will be added to the fleet over the coming
months. This will enable the longer haul flights to destinations as far north as
Miami or down to Suriname.
