BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOLLOWING its suspension from entry into Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the respective authorities have granted approval for regional airline LIAT to enter those islands from today (Dec. 21).
The airline made the announcement of the return of flights to those islands in a short statement on its social media saying, “LIAT is happy to announce that we will recommence flights to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados from Monday 21st December 2020.”
Following the resumption of flights across the region after the COVID-19 lockdown, LIAT disclosed that it was forced to suspend operation due to the two destinations as it awaited approvals.
LIAT had first resumed flights to the two islands on November 30, but had its approval pulled due to the current administrative process it is currently under - forcing aviation officials to deem it a different entity.
With that being the case, approvals granted prior to the COVID-19 lockdown were withdrawn.
The resumption of flights is being welcomed by those in St. Johns, Antigua and Barbuda where the airline is headquartered.
Speaking with the Observer media house, Antigua and Barbuda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, EP Chet Greene acknowledged the resumption of flights to the two islands, explaining that it is a good day for the airline.
Greene reminded of the importance of the airline to regional integration, a position that was articulated by regional leaders and how beneficial the movement between islands is for the islands.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne moved to save the airline after it was recommended to have the case strapped airline go bankruptcy after it was revealed that it was in over EC$100 million in debt.
However, several regional governments, including those in St. Kitts and Nevis, have written off the debt owed by the airline so that moves could be made to have it, though small, remains a viable entity to service the region.
The airline has been slowly rolling out its routes due to the limited capacity it has with only four planes to operate across the destinations it seeks to service.
LIAT is under a court-appointed administrator who is managing the administration process as the airline is seeking to continue flying and not windup.
