Honorable Sir,
I seek your support in my bid for the LIAT Headquarters to be located in Antigua
for the following reasons, and, not apologizing for my self-interest in inviting
LIAT to utilize lands we hope to invest through our company Antigua Hangars Inc.
I am sure you know that the cohesion which LIAT exuded during its lifetime, was
not a mistake; recent fury and disappointment in the aviation industry in the
Caribbean has enlightened many, of the importance of LIAT to the entire
Caribbean. My company wishes to supply the missing component for continued
LIAT success – Private Investment.
Sir, as you see I am not even assuming that you would plan for any other regional
airline when the LIAT brand is not dead and buried. It is my honest opinion that
LIAT will be restored to its former glory and beyond with a Private Sector
shareholding. All in aviation know of the many mishaps LIAT was forced to
endure, which cramped its ability to show a profitable bottom line. We all also
know that LIAT was run by Ministers of our Shareholder Governments and
Chaired by you, Hon. Prime Minister, respectfully Sir.
I have chosen to address your bid for the airline headquarters in the form of a Press
Release by a public letter. Additionally, I have enquired to whom I should address
my bid, but no one seemed in charge yet. However, not wishing to lose the
momentum, we want to be upfront with an offer of 6.83 acres of land and
assistance in sourcing finance for the LIAT Headquarters, as portrayed in the
attached plan on Runway 10, V.C. Bird International Airport.
Please allow me to give my opinion on why LIAT, to be successful and lift off
quickly with a rapidly increasing fleet, MUST be located in Antigua. Mobilization
in a new airline establishment is an expensive and lengthy process, and it is clear
that we do not have that luxury of time. Currently, only Antigua can pull together
experienced human resources in all departments (including its pilots, who love
LIAT).
In the area of logistics, Antigua is considered the northern gateway of the OECS,
with LIAT routes being the most important links to the USVI, BVI, and Puerto
Rico. Antigua offers a larger and more efficient base for the Headquarters of LIAT,
whose engineers and mechanics surpass many in the region, and are responsible for
LIAT’s safety record.
I rest my case Sir, and again request your help in having my investment proposal
considered; we also request your conjoining private investment from St. Vincent
and the Grenadines & the OECS to comprise a LIAT Private Sector Shareholding.
Respectfully, Sir,
Makeda Mikael
Chairman
Antigua Hangars Inc.
V.C.Bird International Airport, Antigua.
