Antigua & Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne says he remains optimistic that the new inter-regional airline, LIAT 2020, will begin servicing the routes in the Caribbean within the next two months.
Browne, who is attending the 46th regular meeting of Caricom leaders in Guyana, told the Caribbean Media Corporation that “significant progress” has been made towards the launch of the airline that is being formed in partnership with Air Peace, a private Nigerian airline founded in 2013. The meeting also discussed a new regional ferry service.
The new airline replaces LIAT (1974) Limited that was first established in Montserrat in 1956, but folded last month following increased debt and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was owned by the governments of Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica and St Vincent & the Grenadines.
Browne said the other shareholding governments had agreed to allow Antigua & Barbuda to purchase the three aircraft “and we will be investing in the region of about US$25 million in the new initiative.
“Air Peace, on the other hand, will be putting in close to US$65 million, so between US$80 and US$90 million will be invested in the project. We expect to have LIAT 2020 operational within the next 60 days assuming that we would have obtained the operating certificate within a matter of weeks,” he said.
Air Peace is also making arrangements to send three Embraer 145 charter jets that should be arriving in Antigua & Barbuda within the next two weeks, and Antigua is also making available a headquarters building for the airline, the PM added, describing the whole initiative “as a very significant investment.”
“It shows the commitment of Antigua & Barbuda to regional connectivity and I am hoping that this entity will help us to address regional connectivity,” he said, adding that Air Peace has already indicated a willingness to send additional aircraft to the Caribbean “if the demand is such that there is a requirement for additional aircraft.”
“From all indications Air Peace will be a great private sector partner and will bring significant expertise in terms of management of LIAT 2020 and to ensure that we can operate an airline, LIAT 2020, that will be sustainable, profitable,” Browne said.
Asked whether any regional country has shown an interest in becoming a shareholder in the reformed airline, Prime Minister Browne said not at this point.
“I think we can start with about six aircraft and Air Peace has promised a seventh one which has a capacity of 125 seats. So all indications are the partnership with Air Peace is a strong one. In as much as we have no objections to other Caribbean countries joining us, I am pretty sure we can move forward with the assets we have to date,” Browne said.
The issue of regional transportation was among matters discussed on the first full day of deliberations by regional leaders.
A statement issued by the Trinidad & Tobago government noted that maritime transportation, specifically the imminent launch of an inter-regional cargo ferry that will operate Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and Guyana routes, had been discussed.
It is expected that Suriname will be added to the ferry’s route.
The statement quoted Trinidadian Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley as saying that he is pleased with the level of interest generated by the decision to launch the ferry and gave Port of Spain’s commitment to ensuring the commercial preparatory work is completed.
Rowley said that while the Trinidad & Tobago government will facilitate the incubation of the project, it is hoped that the private sector will play an integral role in the expansion of the ferry service.
CMC
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Brown is liken to jesus, who makes lots of promises with unlikely results….
As of this article the numbers have changed. If anyone has any doubt go back and read the articles on these pages.
The number of Aircrafts has changed from originally 4 to 6 aircrafts.
When Air Peace was promised to arrive starting before September 2023. It was one aircraft they were supplying to the partnership. Air peace ownership was reported to be 70% and Antigua 30%
Think about it. We were told time and time again. Air Peace will contribute one (1) aircraft and gets 70%; and Antigua who was reported to be borrowing $60 million from the Caribbean Development Bank to rollover LIAT (1974) debt.
This is the deal that was reported time and time again.
Antigua would contribute the 2 aircrafts from LIAT(1974) putting into LIAT(2024) and only get a measly 30%
Then later we were told Air Peace is buying LIAT hangers and terminal. Again, that don’t make any sense. What makes sense is for LIAT to put its terminal and other assets into the deal and get a higher percentage ownership of LIAT(2020)
Everything changes except for the 30/70% ownership split.
This article makes a feeble attempt to ramp up Air Peace and make Air Peace looks as if its 70% sees rational.
The question remains. “Who owns the 45% of LIAT (2020) that Air Peace is holding the bag for?
The 30/70% ownership split raises a whole lot of questions; leaving a 45% ownership of LIAT (2020) floating around, which is not accounted for.
WHO ARE THE OWNERS?
All sorts of promises from 2014 to 2024 by Gaston Browne and the ABLP.
STOP MAKING PROMISES PRIME MINISTER, AND DELIVER MAN!!!
We see through all the bluster and blithering. Stop it …
Our BS lying PM moving the goalposts again!! So typical. He’s hoping he can lie and dodge until people forget but time longer than rope . Over 200 million to be invested in LIAT 2020 but not a single dime allocated to the long suffering former employees. A nasty nasty person this hooligan is. WE SHALL NEVER FORGET!!!!!
antigua a tiny island with a tiny economy plans to re-start liat. Quickest way a billionaire becomes a millionaire is to operate an airline .Is antiga aware of the reputation of Nigerian businesses and Nigerian con men? Hold my beer . Hand me my popcorn.
And @ King Jah T, don’t forget your Bullfoot soup 🥣 as well … Hmmmmm Bullfoooot!!!! 😋
@ King Jah T,
Did you say: the reputation of Nigerian businesses and Nigerian con men?
Now what happens when two groups of Con men get together ?
What are they called ? A MOB…. That’s what you have here. A classic MOB! La la tha Di and the beat goes on….. while the victims, throw bricks and bats at each other.
@ Brixtonian,
As a business person you need to focus on the business deal.
Gaston may yet get LIAT of the ground; but who are the individuals and entities that actually own LIAT(2020)?
I hear you Dwaine, but sometimes I have to bring some light-hearted humour into these serious debates and discussions, because as you and I know the country’s economy and financial woes will only improve once we have a leader that cares and looks out for all of its citizenry.
As for Liat (an airline I’ve used in the past), I’m hoping for two things:
1. That not only it will resume as promised, and the previous employees are compensated, but also that air safety will not be compromised – something that many ANR commentators have overlooked.
2. That the “individuals” and “entities” that you have mentioned aren’t going to crash and burn Liat for financial gain – a well known business takeover ruse and stratagem!
Watch this space Dwaine …
@ Rasiley,
The character and ethics of Gaston Browne are well known.
How about placing some of the blame on the churches who witnesses the advantage being taken, pray with the victims and then pray over Gaston and his Cabinet?
The attorneys who sit back as the blind deaf and dumb never appraising the people and giving them the ammunition to fight. THE UNIONS who should have gone into court and ask for an injustion.
Why didn’t the unions demand from the Judge and the bankruptcy administrator that they get the 45% ownership of LIAT(2020) that is floating around for the unnamed owners.
And why aren’t they screaming to see all of the documents and communications from the time MP Greene went to Nigeria.
Anyway you cut it; this deal make no sense.
I expect snow to be on Boggy Peak in 2 months.
LIAT has/had a wonderful safety record. Isn’t that record threatened by starting with 2 old planes? Where is Tenman and Sideline that made so much noise previously about some “old” engine from China? These did not threaten peoples lives but so much noise was made. Now, you hear nothing.
@ Zackie, From the Sideline (politics) and Say What (a Covid-19 vaccine pusher) were ABLP political SHILLS that were obviously put in place to try and shut down honest opposing voices – and there are many of these SHILLS still operative.
Many ANR commentators saw through what was happening and called out their lies and falsehoods.
As for Tenman, he maybe a genuine commentator, but I’m still not sure, because he seems to support Gaston Browne despite his obvious shortcomings, over the trials and tribulations of hardworking Antiguans.
@Brix..Tenman was once a very objective poster, backing up his arguments with supporting links. But as the saying goes, once you lie down with dogs you rise with fleas. The more he supported the nonsense that ABLP and Gaston do, the more irrational he became.
while liat gets saved Carribean Airlines fills all the gaps with better planes and prices. Wake up the competition doesn’t sleep
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