(Trinidad Guardian) Antigua-based airline, LIAT 2020 Ltd, is one step closer to taking to the regional skies after it received its first two jet aircraft. The two Embraer ERJ 145s, bearing registrations 5N-BVD and 5N-BXG, touched down at Antigua’s V.C. Bird International Airport within minutes of each other on Tuesday afternoon. Both receiv-ed a water cannon salute, traditionally used to celebrate milestones in aviation. Antigua & Barbuda prime minister Gaston Browne led a small team onboard to inspect the aircraft’s interior before a short welcome ceremony was held on the tarmac.
According to officials, LIAT 2020 will receive another Embraer ERJ 145 and a 128-seater aircraft from private Nigerian airline Air Peace, which has a 70 per cent stake in the company, later this year. The Antiguan government also purchased three ex-LIAT (1974) Ltd ATR 42-600 aircraft from the Caribbean Development Bank at a cost of US$12.1 million, bringing LIAT 2020’s expected fleet size up to seven. Two of those ATRs are currently grounded and require maintenance to bring them back to airworthiness. According to Browne, the government has committed US$10 million to that project.
While promising the new entity would create and maintain jobs in the aviation sector, the prime minister also invited to ex-LIAT (1974) workers to negotiate directly with his administration instead of via their union. He said, “I know the issue of severance remains an issue. And whereas my administration has no legal obligation to pay severance, I say to those displaced workers of LIAT and even those who are still employed with LIAT, that my administration is committed to covering the 32% severance representing the shareholding that my government had in LIAT at the time. In fact, I say to you that whereas the union has been an impediment, my administration is now prepared to negotiate directly with the LIAT staff. And to put a mechanism in place to make sure that that 32% is paid to you.”
The Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union (ABWU) has previously indicated that it would seek a 100 per cent severance payment for former employees.
None of the airline’s initial routes has been revealed but Browne said LIAT 2020 would connect the Caribbean safely and affordably. He called on people across the region to support LIAT as a Caribbean brand. He also revealed that the 128-seater aircraft provided by Air Peace could potentially be used on an Antigua-Miami route.
According to cabinet notes from April 17, the government is seeking to address its “Open Skies Agreement” with the USA and update an Air Services Agreement (ASA) between Antigua and the USA dating back to 1977. This ASA would allow carriers from Antigua and Barbuda to enter US territories such as Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and the continental USA, and offer reciprocal rights to American carriers.
As for when the carrier will operate its first commercial flight Hafsah Absulsalam, LIAT’s project lead, would only say it was “around the corner”. She said, “Within weeks we are hoping to launch the airline. We will be hitting the road with our marketing campaign to tell you what our services are about. Naturally, the islands where we take our demonstration flights will be the first to be added to our schedule. With that in mind we are getting our operational readiness in place to ensure us able to begin operations.”
The airline’s ability to operate commercial flights hinges on the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) issuing the Air Operator Certificate (AOC). The airline has been conducting demo flights however, and officials expect the AOC to be issued next week.
LIAT 2020 hopes to fill the void left by LIAT (1974) Ltd which operated its final commercial flight on January 22nd, 2024. LIAT (1974) operated a limited schedule for several years after it was placed under administration in 2020.
