LIAT unveils first of new fleet

(Barbados Nation) LIAT, with the partial backing of some Caribbean governments, is enhancing and transforming its fleet, with 12 new aircraft over the next two years that will cost investors US$100 million.

The regional airline yesterday paraded the first of the new fleet, the ATR 72, a 68-seat passenger plane, that arrived from St Vincent after stops in Antigua and Dominica, folowing the original lift-off in Toulouse, France.

Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy, who was at the Grantley Adams International Airport when the plane arrived at 1:25 p.m. to a spectacular water salute, said it was up to LIAT now to deliver.

“Barbados’ Government is the single largest shareholder and the reality is, given the sacrifices that we are asking Barabdians to make at home, the Government and taxpayers of Barbados, cannot be counted upon to simply pony up every time LIAT needs assistance. We all have to come to the mark,” he said.