The Board of Directors and management of LIAT (1974) Ltd have noted with concern certain statements in a Press Release from the Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) dated June 30th 2009. Specifically, LIALPA has made allegations that question LIATs management’s commitment to maintaining the required levels of safety in its flight operations.

While the company’s management has sought to stay away from engaging in public exchanges with LIALPA on such matters, the seriousness of the allegation and its implications for public confidence in the company require a definitive response to the claims made in the LIALPA Press Release. In particular the company wishes to emphasize that its management has not attempted to “intimidate” or force any pilot to operate in a manner that is inconsistent with the regulations and other provisions governing flight safety.

Following consultations with the appropriate regulatory authorities, the company’s management remains satisfied that actions proposed by the company for its operations are fully consistent with the company’s legally mandated Flight Operations requirements. In some areas, for example the recent installation of global positioning systems (GPS), LIAT has in fact equipped its aircraft with technology to further enhance aviation safety, even where this is not legally required.

LIAT’s Shareholders, Board of Directors, management and staff, and indeed the people of the eastern Caribbean, are extremely proud of the company’s safety record over fifty-three (53) years of operation.  This record is testimony to the high professional standards that LIAT management personnel (including its Flight Operations management), pilots, engineers and mechanics, and other staff have pursued over the years, as well as to the commitment of safety regulators in the OECS in ensuring that the company continues to meet the required standards of international civil aviation operations.

Safety remains the primary focus of all of LIAT’s operations.  The company therefore categorically denies LIALPA’s allegations that suggest any efforts by the company’s management to operate in any manner inconsistent with its regulatory requirements for safety. The company also rejects any suggestion that it has sought to place undue pressure on its pilots, or any other staff, as a result of the grant of the May 22nd 2009 injunction by the Industrial Court in Antigua and Barbuda.

The Company’s Board of Directors and management call on LIALPA to cease actions that seek to undermine public confidence in LIAT, the Caribbean airline. The company remains committed to working with all stakeholders – pilots, regulators, engineers, airports etc – to ensure that LIAT continues to maintain its proud record of air safety, and calls on LIALPA to continue to work along with the company’s management in furthering the safety of our airline going forward. 

LIAT Headquarters
St Georges, Antigua
1st July 2009

-ENDS-