A&B, CDB reach agreement for purchase of aircraft for LIAT 2020

The Antigua and Barbuda government and the Caribbean Development Bank
(CDB) have reached an agreement for the purchase of the three aircraft now owned
by the bank that were part of the fleet for LIAT (1974) Ltd., whose operations have
formally ended.
Making the announcement, Prime Minister Gaston Browne said the agreement was
reached after initial disagreements between the two parties.
“Last week, we held a meeting with the CDB over starting the LIAT 2020 airline.
Initially, the tone was uncooperative, but we did not relent. In the end we now have
a formal agreement and in the next week or two, we should be able to get things
moving to the extent that we can apply for the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC)
for LIAT 2020 and within the next 60 – 90 days we can get LIAT 2020 up and
running,” he stated.
He described the progress that has been made so far as a testimony to his
government’s relentless pursuit of its objectives that will benefit the people of
Antigua and Barbuda.
PM Browne recalled that when the other shareholder government of LIAT (1974)
Ltd. had decided to collapse the airline in the wake of the challenges it faced
during the COVID-19 pandemic, Antigua and Barbuda decided against the move.
“Today, we are now seeing the silver lining to the extent that notwithstanding that
the other two said it could not be done, we not only kept LIAT (1974) Ltd. alive
for an additional four years, but we are now poised to launch LIAT 2020, which
we hope will be a profitable and sustaining institution,” he remarked.
Over the last several weeks, both the government and the CDB have been
negotiating for the sale of the three aircraft. The disagreement arose over the sale
value of the aircraft, two of which are not currently air-worthy.