A bank is auctioning off part of LIAT airline’s property due to a loan default.

A parcel of land belonging to LIAT airline based in Antigua is set to go on auction due to a loan default.

According to reports in Barbados Today, the Antigua Commercial Bank’s Loan Recoveries Department has announced that 2.75 acres of vacant land located at LIAT’s Coolidge base, which supports various types of commercial activities, will be sold.

The news portal reported that the property is described as generally flat with a gentle slope and slightly irregular in shape, with access to service lines for potable water, telephone, and electricity all provided by the state-owned Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA).

According to the article, the auction is scheduled to take place on-site on April 29.

LIAT (1974) Limited, which was previously owned by the governments of Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica, has been replaced by LIAT 2020, established by Antigua and Barbuda.

LIAT 2020 conducted a series of training flights over the weekend under the supervision of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) to obtain its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) before beginning regular scheduled flights under the ECCAA’s aviation-related remit in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.

On Saturday afternoon, two flights were conducted from VC Bird International Airport to St Kitts and back, followed by two similar flights on Sunday morning.

The ECCAA closely monitored the flights, examining all aspects of the airline’s performance, including safety protocols, flight operations, and communication systems.

The training flights were successful, and LIAT 2020 received feedback from the ECCAA to help the airline meet all requirements to receive the AOC.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced the successful completion of the training flights during a live radio program, which generated a wave of congratulatory comments and posts from the public.

LIAT 2020 is a partnership between the government of Antigua and Barbuda and Nigerian airline Air Peace, which is set to provide three aircraft to the new airline as part of its contribution.

The planes are expected to arrive in Antigua and Barbuda in a few weeks to bring the initial fleet of aircraft to three.

LIAT 2020 will conduct additional training flights throughout the week as it works towards meeting all requirements before receiving the AOC.