Prime Minister Gaston Browne says discussions are continuing with regional leaders on his proposal to establish a new airline, OECS Air, potentially through a merger of Air Antilles and LIAT.
The proposal arose during talks in Antigua with Saint Martin’s Territorial Council President Louis Mussington, who had travelled to explore cooperation between the two carriers. Browne said he encouraged a broader plan that would consolidate both airlines into a single regional carrier rather than maintaining separate operations.
According to the Prime Minister, the initiative could be financed through two potential sources: roughly US$60 million in unclaimed deposit receipts at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and about €70 million from the European Union’s Interreg Fund, which is accessible through French territories such as Guadeloupe and Martinique.
Browne said Mussington has been asked to consult officials in Guadeloupe and French authorities about possible collaboration with OECS member states.
If funding is secured, the airline could expand its fleet by five to six aircraft, bringing the total to around 14 planes, which Browne believes would be enough to serve the region. He also suggested the carrier could operate flights to Panama City to expand trade options for OECS consumers.
The proposal remains under discussion among regional governments and has not yet reached the implementation stage.
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We still do not have a rational explanation for why the African owner of Air Peace was given 70% ownership of LIAT and Antigua and Barbuda took on $80 million in debt with the Caribbean Development Bank.
Keeping mind LIAT Hanger and other LIAT and government own assets were thrown into the deal.
A rip-off of historical proportions, without any questions or objections by the MSc and PHD community.
With the possibility of the European Union’s Interreg Fund providing financing the truth may come out
@Just Saying Perhaps persons with MSc’s and PhD’s would not comment on matters they are not experts on or they have no evidence about. Perhaps they share your concerns about the deal but are pragmatic that that was what it took for the investment to happen. Perhaps they are just waiting to see how things pan out. I can totally understand persons’ hesitation to get involved in certain matters prematurely. Personally, I would like to see low air fares and opportunities for the average person to travel regularly throughout the region. I would love to stay in another island for a few weeks at a cheap Air BnB etc. every year but most places are outside my price range. Perhaps many persons don’t bother to comment because travel within the region is out of reach for many residents anyway.
Ah! A little guts is being shown y Our Great Indomitable Dear Leader: . After how many years gouging off the sale of petroleum products; saddled from the pockets of the masses. A conscience bid your call for austerity parity as compassion. Derived from your anxious posturing for another five year electoral claim. For your clique of insipid cohorts engaged in your mantra of self enrichment, and transparency without accountability. And, what about the forty percent raised across the board on vehicles registration- without the effect of tangible benefits; as per roads rehabilitation from the done deals? Have a great day, and get yourselves some sleep at nighttime. Worry! Who’s worrying? Not Them. No Thanks.
@ just pondering,
I would accept your thoughts as reasonable, except that frequently I observe individuals names to opinion pieces on this portal.
A few others like myself and you do so with a moniker.
Some opinion writers academic credentials are prominent, while their writing has no substance
June July and December, we will see a new generation of graduates. There is no increase in the quality of the public discourse.
Freedom of speech is stifled, with no guidance from the media or these credentialed.
Frequently many of these individuals offered up vacuous pieces of articles masked in rhetorical jorgan.
The recent events with regards to Visa restrictions/US/Maduro/CARICOM/PMs of Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua and Barbuda.
Some of these individuals local as well as regional University Vice Chancellors and Department heads are highly credentialed. Seemingly trading on their credentials seeking recognition and offering no more thoughtful advice or ideas than an uninformed public.
One does not have to be an expert to present informed analysis or the financial structure imbalance, and merits on a transaction of regional significance.
There is no more pragmatism in this deal than if an Antiguan third generation decided they will take a 30% ownership stake in a home they fully inherited overlooking Dockyard, for an additional BR and minor renovation.
The renovator from the US, UK or EU gets 70% ownership and the opportunity to mage the property as an airBandB.
One does not have to wait to see how this pans out to voice concern about such a deal.
One only needs to know the basics that the Government has offered to the public.
The following is what was offered up by Max Hurst and Gaston Browne
1. All other OECS owners have given up their shares for $1.00
2. LIAT 1974 owes The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) $60 Million
3. LIAT 2020 has 2 operational plains and 2 grounded for repairs
4. The Antigua and Barbuda Government borrow an additional $20 million from CDB to service the aircrafts they own.
5. Antigua and Barbuda throws in LIAT hanger properties and other airport appurtenances as part of its investment.
6. Antigua and Barbuda Government also gives a most valuable asset. The “LIAT” name brand, and “Goodwill”. A name brand, a goodwill and legacy in air travel that is second to none other in the Caribbean.
Those 6 items and more are what Antigua and Barbuda brought to the Table.
A Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Government signs a deal in Lagos for 30 percent.
(a) Air Peace brings: Two small jets and a CEO
There are no other announcements of additional resources financial, operational or assets that Air Peace has brought to the table.
Your wish is for lower prices to get to cheap Air BnB etc for most places are outside your price range. That is not an unreasonable thing.
Your comments helps to make the case for one of my points, that even those who are suppose to presumably know about the framework of these transactions of national and regional importance
are not engaged.
To the degree it’s a one-sided give away deal; in my view.
I’m stating that the many individuals who parade their credentials should raise the issues, and force the government to explain the merits.
If Antigua and Barbuda only owns 30% of LIAT 20. Does that minority share holding enables or allow Prime Minister Gaston Browne to lead discussions with regional leaders on his proposal to establish a new airline, OECS Air, potentially through a merger of Air Antilles and LIAT?
Maybe the name LIAT should be retired given its origins are colonialist. OECS Air may be more appropriate.
But how can we bury the highly recognizable LIAT
identity; when the PHDs and MScs. don’t see the need to change West Indies Cricket or University of the West Indie. Names that are vestiges of Colonialism.
As you wish for cheaper fares, and private jets are landing on Barbuda. The local residents of Barbuda are stuck for the weather prevents the Ferry from traveling.
SVG can’t handle the demand, especially when charters by foreign groups.
Cooking gas is out in Barbuda, when the ground swells delays supply boats.
Your personal needs and wishes comes first.
I think in terms of: “All endeavors, while each achieves”.
These individuals as credential rich as they are; more often than not, are just vacuumed vessels of fecklessness.
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