LIAT 2020 Limited is close to becoming a reality

By Aabigale McIntosh

If all goes well, LIAT 2020 should be in the skies by late April or early May 2024.

This is according to Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who explained on the weekend that his administration is one step closer to obtaining the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) needed for the carrier to operate.

“We are yet closer, and LIAT 2020 should be operational no later than late April/ early May,” Browne said on Saturday.

He also pointed to some delay in the delivery of three aircraft from Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, which are now scheduled to arrive in late March to complement the three from LIAT 1974 Limited.

The PM said, unfortunately, two of the aircraft from 1974 Limited will have to undergo extensive repairs.

“We will have to spend a significant amount of money to get them airworthy, but we will. I think the first of the two should be completed in May one of the best things is that we are vesting these assets into LIAT 2020 Limited.

“What had happened in the past was the shareholder governments did not put equity inside LIAT, which in itself will provide added support if there are any eventualities,” Browne said.

To achieve the new entity the government has entered into a partnership with p with Nigeria’s Air Peace, estimated at US$80 million.