The Antigua and Barbuda government says its future plans for the cash-strapped regional airline, LIAT, is to have it fly as far north as Florida, stopping in places like Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Antigua and Barbuda is seeking to become the largest shareholder government of the airline and is in negotiations with Barbados to acquire most of that country’s shareholding in the Antigua-based airline. The other shareholders are Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.
Antigua and Barbuda currently holds 34 per cent of the shares and if it succeeds in convincing Bridgetown to part with its LIAT shares, would have 81 per cent of the airline that employs over 600 people and operates 491 flights weekly across 15 destinations.
St. John’s said it would seek to acquire the LIAT shares owned by Barbados, through a take-over of the liability of Barbados to the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
Cabinet said it had been “informed of the state of the negotiations” which it later described as being “at a very sensitive stage” and that the government was informed that the negotiations would “continue until there is an agreement”
“Antigua and Barbuda’s object is to acquire sufficient common shares in LIAT that will give the administration a controlling position. Instead of collapsing LIAT or reducing the size of its operation, the Gaston Browne administration aims to enlarge LIAT’s routes and to operate LIAT as far north as Florida, stopping in places like Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic—leasing jet aircraft to achieve this bigger ambition.
“More than 700 LIAT employees will remain employed if this ambition is realized,” according to a note following the Cabinet meeting.
On Friday, Prime Minister Browne told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that he is not aware that negotiations with Barbados had broken down.
Media reports in Barbados had suggested that the talks, which began a week ago had broken down after only “a few hours”.
Browne said that “a counter offer was made by Antigua” telling CMC he would not be disclosing the offer “at this time.
“I am not at liberty to discuss the details,” Browne said.
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I am happy to hear that LIAT is looking to new markets as part of its growth and expansion. There are many uneconomical routes that it currently serves without subsidy and without sympathy, that would need to be reduced or eliminated. It’s time to run LIAT as a business. Whilst providing job security is good, it is absolutely foolish to retain all those jobs in the face of loses and profitability. At present, Caribbean Airlines maintains a monopoly on the route Antigua to Jamaica and it is a very profitable route with almost 100 percent loads from Antigua in the two days that it flies to Kingston. Would be happy to see LIAT offering service there as an alternative with better fares as well from all the OECS countries. If Antigua with its expanded ownership, do not carefully manage the resources of LIAT, in no time, the airline will flop.
Are these statements made tongue in cheek. The largest deterrent to travel is the tax. What has Antigua done to help in this regard. Nothing. It is cheaper to travel to Jamaica using a US carrier so I really want to see how this thing will play out.
Each of these ‘Us carrier’ are being payed HUGE yearly subsidies by the respective islands to fly to these island destinations. Please ask them to just give a ‘little’ to LIAT nah. Let’s find some solution instead of the constant denigrations. O lard, LIAT belongs to the caribbean…
Before you Gaston Browne as Prime Minister run off your chaps.It would be nice to close the deal with Barbados.Before you are talking about expanding of LIAT routes.Own it first and then talk.LIAT is not owned by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.How could you as the Prime Minister and Finance Minister not know that the talks break down.You should know every thing of importance going on in your Administration.Regardless if you are on the island or not.There are smart phones and other means of communications on every street corner.The truth always rises to the top.While dung sinks to the bottom.That mustache man talks too much.
Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock! “Antigua and Barbuda’s object is to acquire sufficient common shares in LIAT that will give the administration a controlling position. Instead of collapsing LIAT or reducing the size of its operation, the Gaston Browne administration aims to enlarge LIAT’s routes and to operate LIAT as far north as Florida, stopping in places like Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic—leasing jet aircraft to achieve this bigger ambition.” ANR 071319!
“Come, then, comrades; it would be as well to decide at once to change our ways. We must shake off the heavy darkness in which we were plunged, and leave it behind. The new day which is already at hand must find us firm, prudent and resolute. … But let us be clear: what matters is to stop talking about output, and intensification, and the rhythm of work.” – Fanon!
Long before “De Undertaker” and “De Embalmer” took control of LIAT (2012 – 2016), a period which everyone from Cap’n to Colonial Bosun to Cook would like to forget, this mere voice in the wilderness had dared to suggest that the LIAT Government Shareholders, Board and Admin consider: utilizing LIAT’s owned Dash 8 to grow LIAT’s Cargo operations along the lines of Ethiopian Airlines Strategic Cargo Business Unit Model; lease new Dash 8 for Short Haul Caribbean Passenger operations; scrap the Port of Spain Hub and function with two hubs – BGI in the Caribbean South and South America, and, ANU in the North East Caribbean; lease Brazil’s efficient Embraer jets for Long Haul Caribbean Passenger travel and given the range of the aircraft, explore incursions into our main North American Markets before the arrival of JetBlue, WestJet and Sunwing into ANU! No one can deny that those of us who railed against the Cap’n and his French ATR dealings (at CAL & LIAT) were correct in warning against that very bad acquisition decision! Qui Bono! Maintenance of those ATR’s is now in Miami!
The Travel Agreements, made by the Colonial Administrations of these SIDS and the North Atlantics, before independence are still in force, hence Caribbean SIDS would be faced with very stiff negotiations to alter or improve their options! You can fly BA from Antigua to Tobago or to the DR! American Airlines, Air France and KLM still have access to fly the Sunny Caribbean Skies and Island hop though they do not use their agreements!
It was suggested then that we look to changing the Travel Paradigm of Day Flights to and From North America to Night and Red-eye flights to increase airlift given that we are paying all International Airlines to fly Passengers to and from the Sunny Caribbean! This of course would necessitate discussions with those in the Hospitality and Tourism Hotel Sector to accommodate differing arrival and departure times!
The suggested North American Flights were proposed for Shareholder SIDS! Those who refused to share in the Liabilities, should they wish to participate in the North Atlantics Airlift, would be expected to pay the Piper just as they did for the International Airlines!
“In our failing to celebrate the dreaming itself, we have been purchased by the wage and ticking clock that drove us to become prospectors and rapist rulers of this countryside. It is now our failed, and still failing, dream – a perishable nightmare.” – Edgar O Lake: The Devil’s Bridge!
SERPENT CHARGED !!!!! JANICE CHARGED !!!! WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE OBSERVER RADIO ( SNAKEPIT)
KNIGHT AND GLADYS POTTER WILL BE NEXT .
IF I were Serpent, I would request an AUDIT of NewsCo pronto! Having a teef and lyadd working in the midst is not to be taken lightly.
Hope this same Janice lady did not put her hand in the kitty of all those donations made by the public to keep the radio station afloat.
She feel she slick, but the Property Manager head bigger than fu she.
LORD SAVE THE SNAKEPIT…I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE…DO NOT LISTEN ANYMORE.
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