Optimism LIAT 2020 will Takeoff Within a Month

By Aabigayle McIntosh

Barring unforeseen circumstances, officials are optimistic that LIAT 2020 will resume flights in less than a month. Ambassador Daven Joseph, the Interim Chairman, stated that the entity is anticipated to be fully operational, beginning with the six aircraft they intend to deploy.

“We are hoping to start with four aircraft as early as the next four weeks as long as everything goes well in acquiring the Air Operators Certificate AOC,” Joseph said.

The government has concluded arrangements to purchase three aircraft, previously owned by LIAT 1974 Limited, through the Caribbean Development Bank for $US 12.1 million. The signing of the agreement is imminent.

“Now, this has to go through a process that we are in the middle of right now and requires all parties to sign off on the actual terms of the agreement where Antigua and Barbuda will deposit $US4.1 million immediately. Aircraft number one will become available to us so that we can achieve and complete the acquisition of the AOC from ECCA.

“That is well in the process now. We are hoping that this initial acquisition of the AOC, including the acquisition of these aircraft, will be completed within the next two to three weeks,” Joseph said.

In collaboration with Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, the government is working to launch LIAT 2020.

The strategy involves operating with six aircraft—three from LIAT (1974) Ltd and three from Air Peace—with potential plans for fleet expansion.

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“Aircraft one is in working condition as you know LIAT 1974 Limited closed with one of its aircraft operational. The other two have scheduled maintenance and that is going on now and yes, we are going to have to put monies into the other two to have them we are hoping that all will become operational by September,” he said.