Antigua spends 500K a month to keep LIAT flying

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The Gaston Browne administration is spending a whopping $500,000 a month to keep LIAT flying.

This was revealed by Information Minister Melford Nicholas during Thursday’s post-cabinet press conference.

“It’s running approximately $500,000 a month, so over the next three months we would expect that we are going to be able to up the ante by the time we get to the window where we have identified a suitable partner — the cost may run approximately $4 million to $4.5 million,” Nicholas said.

“But as I’ve indicated, the funds are available and it’s the whole question of managing it effectively and dealing with the other operational challenges that we have with respect to LIAT going forward.”

Following Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, it was announced that a Cabinet sub-committee on LIAT was formed to include three ministers — Robin Yearwood, Molwyn Joseph and Lenox Weston.

The three have been directed to follow LIAT’s progress by meeting with decision-makers and reporting back to Cabinet.

“The resources to keep LIAT flying are being provided solely by Antigua and Barbuda, utilizing resources borrowed more than one year ago for the purpose of re-capitalizing the airline,” according to the Cabinet notes released to the media.

“The closure of the U.S. Embassy in Barbados impacts the movement of people to and from that country, and the connectivity which visa applicants require,” it added.

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10 COMMENTS

  1. Attempting to fund LIAT by ourselves during the pandemic when travel in the region is well down is INSANITY. Clearly the airline is not taking in funds to cover its costs and will not be able to do so during the pandemic which be for at least another 12 – 18 months. Throwing away money like this when the country is completely and utterly broke is the definition of LUNACY. Give it up and let Caribbean Airlines fly the routes and take the pandemic licks. Ralph and Mia saw what was coming down the road with LIAT and got out in time. We are the only horse’s asses still throwing money at LIAT.

    • We are not horses asses. This has to do with and only with PM Browne. He is the one throwing away our money. He has his reasons for wanting to keep LIAT flying and it has nothing at all to do with our sentimental reasons. It is like desperation for him. He is using us to fulfill his wealth-seeking desires. And we the people, including our pensioners, are suffering because of his selfishness.

  2. I have said in the past.That running an Airline is very expensive.Because you are dealing with the transporting of humans and cannot cut corners.I hope those involved with the day to day operations of LIAT are looking very hard for some rich Investors.I did hear in the news today.That Lennox Weston,Robin the Hood and Molwyn Joseph are involved with LIAT again.Are we as a Nation so short sighted.That only Politicians could be involved in LIAT.Remember there were Robin and Weston involved in the former LIAT.They did not have one clue as to what went on.They were on the LIAT Board of Directors.Now the third smartest person(Molwyn) in the Cabinet has join them.As the calypsonian(King Progress) did say:Heaven Help Us All.

    • @tuna. Agreed.
      The combined business, aviation & marketing acumen of Sir, Sir & Lennax instills complete confidence in the public!

  3. WHEN ARE U GOINO TO PAY THE STAFF THAT WORKED TIRELESSLY TO KEEP THE AIRLINE FLYING BEFORE ITS DEMISE ??

    • The understanding is that they will not get ONE RED CENT until LIAT begins to turn a profit. Go figure!
      I guess the staff will sit an feel sorry for themselves waiting for someone to fight for them and not start taking real action to get their money. I sorry for them, but I can’t really be so sorry for them because I and mine still feeling sorry for we self.

      • PADDLE Your so right on this one I was one calling for them to come together and take action on they own the unions and browne are in bed together hope it’s not to late for them but better late than never even if the pandemic had finish LIAT would still have problems with customers with all those unpaid ticket holders browne and the Administrator really believe that all those unpaid customers would just forget and start booking flights with LIAT again without getting they money back somebody better wake them up.

  4. Pensioners cannot be paid on time…Liat workers have not been paid their severance..I see the strategy, only put money into things that you think can make money, but when it comes to human beings and their livelihood, not even a penny!

  5. Yes, we want our dearly beloved LIAT to survive but that kind of expenditure by the government cannot continue indefinitely. Where are all the investors, they need to come on board now to save LIAT. Then again investors need to see the prospects of returns before investment. I hope the Prime Minister can convince a few of his rich friends at home and abroad to invest in LIAT. By the way, I heard Makeda Mikael wants to marry LIAT so perhaps that is an avenue the government can pursue. Would that marriage help LIAT?

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