Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the island seems to be on its own with regard to the establishment of a new company to replace LIAT (1974) Limited which collapsed in 2020.
The Antigua-based LIAT (1974) Limited, entered into administration in July 2020 following increased debt and the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The airline is owned by the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines. A downsized version of the carrier has been operating a reduced schedule with a limited workforce since November 2020.
But Browne said he now recognises that “Antigua and Barbuda is practically standing alone in terms of having an entity that is owned by a group of governments.
“What seems to be the prevailing thinking at this time is that most heads are of the view that there are sufficient assets within the region. In fact, there is a study that was done by the Caribbean Development Bank as well as the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States) and that was the meeting I attended in St Lucia, and the consensus was that there are sufficient assets to service the region.”
Browne said that there are “primarily private sector held assets and they don’t see the need for the governments to invest in any national airline or regional airline”.
Last month, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders ended their 44th regular summit in the Bahamas, nowhere closer to solving the woes being experienced by regional travellers following the collapse of the intra-regional airline, LIAT, in 2020.
“It is an ongoing discussion we have mandated the (Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to explore and to examine the current challenge that we have and to come up with some recommendations on how we can overcome the travel issue of intra-regional travel,” Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit told reporters.
LIAT, prior to entering into administration had been servicing several regional destinations and has since scaled down its operations and is now servicing Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, San Juan Puerto Rico, St Kitts, St Lucia and St Maarten.
In February, the Guyana government said while it has not given a commitment to investing in the cash-strapped regional airline, LIAT, it nonetheless wants to be “part of a solution for regional air transport”.
President Dr Irfaan Ali told the Guyana-based online publication Demerara Waves Online News last month that his administration has been approached to help revive the Antigua-based LIAT.
that the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, and St Vincent and the Grenadines have been talking with his administration about a “possible role” in a revived regional carrier.
“They have asked us to be part of a solution. Of course, part of a solution might be looking at investment, looking at the outstanding debts to Guyana,” he said noting that countries have not yet decided what form Guyana’s assistance would be.
Browne also disclosed that his government would not be entertaining discussions with trade unions here on severance payment to former LIAT workers until other shareholder governments are involved in the talks. The former employees are owed millions of dollars (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) in severance and other arrears.
Browne said the local trade union is being unreasonable in calling on his administration to meet 100 per cent of the outstanding payments to the workers.
“Well I suspect down the road if this issue is to be settled there may have to be some collaboration…some joint effort in which to engage all of the shareholding governments because I don’t see us entering into any discussion with a union about 100 per cent…”
Browne said last Friday, government provided one million US dollars to LIAT to repair one of the airlines, adding “so you could see the commitment and the commitment for Antigua and Barbuda is helping regional people connect”.
In January, the St Lucia government made good on its promise to pay compensation to former employees of the cash-strapped regional airline, with Labour Minister Dr Virginia Albert-Poyotte advising them to use the benefits wisely.
The former local LIAT employees received bond certificates from the government and are cash redeemable and can also be used as collateral to secure loans. -LOOP
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Anyone that has been reading my posts over the last months would have read where I have suggested all the time that Antigua needs to bite the bullet and go it alone. The other islands are just stalling the process while they sign agreements with other carriers. And hoping that by the time LIAT 2020 comes off the ground the other carriers have already gained lots of ground. Mr. PM please don’t be bamboozled and think they mean well. They don’t. It’s every man/woman for themself. In my opinion they are still upset with your move to protect the liquidation of LIAT 1974 and place it under administration. A move they had not expected from you. So, the last word in this is not said. Watch your back. Don’t show I yuh teeth plastic smile can’t work.
Sidelines is foolish advisors like you that have Gaston gassy and pooping in the faces of other Caribbean leaders so nonbaddy want to deal wid him. Fartology which rules what little brains you have don’t mak you realize LIAT haffu fly go to other islands – do it alone jackass! A you a mek that foolish arrogant and pompous minority vote leader think he is cheese!
The other Caribbean Islands are probably sending Browne a clear message…we don’t trust you. It would not be surprising giving his involvement with Antigua Airways scandal. I canot think why any country that is transparent would want to do business with him. Browne ay look to Marvellous Mike to be part of LIAT EO.
“Antigua’s biggest dunce”
This fool just figured that out? All the other islands are looking out for their kit and kin while the ALP dunces are busy importing criminals from where we don’t know. Antigua is on its own.
Yes, he is such a dunce that he saved LIAT from being liquidated.
@From The Sideline: Running an airline requires a lot cash, and I don’t think the government of Antigua and Barbuda have deep pockets. Going it alone with LIAT is tough ask.
Indeed, it is a tough task. But one has to bite the bullet and do what needs to be done. That is when you separate the men from the boys. Those that have the balls to make the hard decisions knowing the road will be tough. Antigua needs a regional airline more than them. We had built an entire industry around LIAT. The ripple down effect of that sector of our economy is now in jeopardy. We need to act and act soon. get rid of LIAT 1974. And start fresh with LIAT 2020 with an improved and revised business model. No more flying on unprofitable routes. And focus on freight flights and charter flights. You know what Air Canada does if they have a flight that is not booked to certain capacity? They sell it to a charter company or cancel the flight and put you on a lagter flight that will boost the numbers.
Dem nah go inna no LIAT 20-20 wid yuh. Yuh know dat but yuh still holding on to satisfy yuh base.
As soon as you move off the scene, look how fast LIAT will revive.
How will LIAT revive when the majority shareholder Barbados together with St. Vincent have already decided to liquidate the company and put their money in their own airline. It’s Gaston keeping it on life support. Which is a waste of time and money, in my opinion.
@Sidelines:You say,Gaston keeping LIAT on life support. I say Bull Dung. We the Tax Payers in Antigua and Barbuda are keeping LIAT on Life Support. It is not Gaston’s damn personal funds being flushed down that toilet hole. So wheel and come again.What has become of that man who owns Air Peace,Nigeria. He was supposed to pump monies into LIAT. I forgot,he was indicted in the United States in the Federal Court in Georgia. He is charged with Money Laundering and Fraud.Is that new City at Willoughby Bay still in the cards.Nothing but a damn pie in the sky of a City.Gaston’s new name is FOREHEAD.
@Black-Man
You should take a look up at Willoughby Bay and see the beautiful roads up there. Better roads than any place in Antigua and hundred of acres of bush. No doubt the government paid for these roads. There are hundred of acres of lands up there for sale for millions of US dollars. Who own the lands?
Why can you for once be sensible in your arguments? We the people only come into play on election day. We the people have spoken, and Gaston Browne has again been given the mandate to make decisions on our behalf. Whether you like it or not. Whether you are one that has voted against him or not. That is how democracy works. Gaston did not come to us and asked us whether we wanted LIAT to stay in the air. Yes, it is our tax dollars, but he is spending it on our behalf. As he sees fit. If we don’t like it, come the next election we’ll let him know.
wait… i thought the pm said repleatedly that investers were lined up, ready and waiting to pump money into the new liat
That is a thought wasted. The PM said the receiver was talking to potential investors, but that’s as far as it went. You seem to forget that LIAT is in Administration. Everything has to go through the court appointed Administrator, Mr. Cleaveland Seaforth. The PM has no authority here. The PM can only speak about LIAT 2020.
@sideline. Bwoi you sound like a broken record for a man that has clearly ran out of fresh ideas. You are sure doing a lot of cleanup campaigning these days. I thought the election and Mr Browne’s victory was suppose to be a brighter look for Antigua and it’s people? Nothing here looks good sir.If no one wants to come to the table with you,it says you have onlookers/enemies, not friends. Not a good place for Antigua right now, too many things stink to high heaven!!!
So true @ Antigua4ever and Mr Byam. This idiot is just now figuring this out. Gaston Browne IS the problem.
No reputable,respectable country will want to do business with this clown. They,unlike Antigua, do their due diligence. This man’s track record reaks of scandals, crooks, scammers and God knows what else. He sits on his Rumshop station and emits all kinds of idiotic, illogical, dunce rhetoric and the vultures around him swallow them whole.
The region and the world are watching and listening, and most of them are laughing at this failed experiment we call PM.
You may the one “crying in the wilderness” for now Mr. Prime Minister but please keep on keeping on. You should use all your influence capital to persuade your colleague decision makers of the importance of keeping this indigenous airline flying for both economic as well as historical reasons as I and many others agree with you that it is an asset and can be converted into a profitable asset. Sometimes we throw in the towel on ourselves too easily.
Gaston is a Major part of the problem with his arrogance and the way he puts down other people. It would be interesting to have the meetings with the other prime ministers recorded so the rest of us can know what goes down.
In other words, they will not deal with a scamp, thief and criminal like Gaston Browne. Antigua Airways and FTX have been his latest schemes gone wrong. Now we have illegals here who are being caught trying to enter foreign nations all thanks to Gaston Browne and his unscrupulous dealings.
As for our nation, the people voted him right back in again and now they have to deal with all the fallout from their decision. I wonder if all the free turkey, ham, microwave, TV, drivers license et al was really worth all this.
I can’t wait to see what happens in the end with all this. The self enrichment scheme will only work for so long. People are going to either answer to or spill the beans about the kidnapping and execution of Nigel Christian, the kidnapping and trafficking of Mehul Choksi, CUB failing, FTX headquarters operating here in our little country, all the tax funds that have dried up in Treasury, pensioners not being paid, social security not being paid, govt workers not being paid.
Yet through it all who is being paid, every time and on time and in full? That’s right Gaston Browne and his band of self enrichment thieves.
You voted them in again, don’t complain about the current state of affairs now. You made your bed, now you can lie in it. And you may even have to eat it now.
Side note. I notice ever since the elections, Eric the Red is dead. Not a peep out of him
Gaston haters. You know on many other things the PM has proven to the region and the world that when he believes in a course of action, he sticks with it. And that is what makes him a great leader. He is his own man. He doesn’t go blowing anyway the wind blows. There were times I also had doubt about certain stands that he took, but all the time history has vindicated him. You must have balls to be a lone wolf sometime. Especially when it comes to standing up against other Caricom leaders. I am proud of that character in our Prime Minister. Always batting for Antigua, no matter what. i distinctly remember when he wrote to Harvard University that they should work on some respiratory justice for their part of having benefited from the slave trade. Harold Lovell and others ridiculed him and said that Harvard would not even give him an answer. And what do we see now? Harvard has signed several working agreements with UWI Five Island Campus. the PM is vindicated. He was vilified for standing up against Butch Stewart when he demanded Sandals pay the ABST in full. And there again he was vindicated. Gaston is a leader you can count on every time to bat for the country. And this LIAT saga will also come to past and vindicate him. You just watch and see. However, I must say that I would not do what he did. LIAT would long time be liquidated. When Americal Eagle pulled out of the Caribbean the governments had to pay them to keep the Eagle in the sky. But in the end, they closed it down. Island hopping is not a lucrative venture. We need to invest is Ferry Services. Fast Ferry Services. Just take a look at Asia. They have the same issues. Lots of Islands in close proximity that need to connect people. I keep saying why try to invent the wheel. Just look around the world and learn from others.
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