BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS (CUOPM) – LIAT’s newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer, Captain Ian Brunton, has described 35 percent of the airline’s 112 daily flights as “social (uneconomic) routes”.
“LIAT cannot continue to meet the cost of these social routes,” Brunton told the state of the industry conference of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation in St. Kitts last week.
The airline operates the intra-regional routes in the Caribbean going as far north as Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic and Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago in the south.
LIAT also flies into the US and British Virgin Islands and the French Caribbean, Guadeloupe and Martinique.
Ian Brunton, former CEO of BWIA from 1979-1993, in his presentation at the conference expressed shock that such a large percentage as 35 percent of the regional airline’s flights are subsidised.
“This is madness. I don’t know of any business which can survive in such circumstances,” Brunton said.
What is more, the airline is owned by only three of the 11 CARICOM governments – Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua and Barbuda – and there are seven non-CARICOM territories that benefit from the service LIAT provides. Those non-CARICOM territories are: United States Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Curacao, Aruba, Guadeloupe and Martinique.
Without revealing which markets are uneconomical, Brunton said the routes are in and out of eight countries.
“We intend to approach those markets to provide support on the uneconomic routes,” says the former CEO of T&T’s Caribbean Airlines Ltd.
“If the support is not given, we shall have to wean out the flights,” Brunton told ministers and directors of tourism from the Caribbean at the CTO discussion on “The Challenge of Regional Transportation: Where are the Solutions?”
Bearing the costs of uneconomic social routes is not the only problem faced by LIAT. High operating costs, fees and taxes on the industry, stifling regulations and security challenges, competition and a steady fall-off (20 per cent) in intra-regional travel over the last five years as a result of the international recession that goes back to 2008, are significant elements of LIAT’s problems.
So, too, are thin and fragmented markets, limited economies of scale, high employee costs, coupled with aggressive trade union activity.
In addition, Brunton says “finding the capital to replace an aging fleet, even if the 30-year old planes are still working well,” is also a major challenge.
The LIAT CEO wants “to expel the myth that LIAT is gouging customers”.
The cost of a ticket, he says, is made high by factors outside of the control of the airline. Airport fees and other forms of taxation (66 in all) account for between 30 and 50 percent of the fare, says the airline’s CEO.
The LIAT base fare, insists Brunton, is competitive with other international airlines on the basis of miles travelled to a destination.
He admits, though, to delays and at times less-than-required efficiency in customer service.
The CEO says 34 percent of the delays in September 2012 were caused by industrial action on the part of the representative unions and 39 percent due to technical problems.
Brunton, who came into the job in August 2012, projects a turnaround of the airline’s fortunes in 12 months. The basis for the turnaround is hinged on a number of factors.
One is for “Caribbean governments to find innovative ways to increase the volume of passengers rather than imposing high fees and charges,” says Brunton.
Thank you sir….but we have known that for a long time!
There are only couple solutions;
1. If the governments of the “uneconomic social routes wont buy the idea of further subsidization, dont fly (simple business principle)
2. Bankrupt the airline and start fresh with a new one focused on a business principle.
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
I found the following statements of the CEO to be instructive.
“35 percent of the airline’s 112 daily flights as “social (uneconomic) routes”…LIAT cannot continue to meet the cost of these social routes…This is madness. I don’t know of any business which can survive in such circumstances”
Indeed, this is madness Ahhhhhh!!!!! LIAT’s can be said to be flying into the winds of madness that has settled over Dominica for a while.
My only wish is that the COE had been a little more transparent and specific in his disclosures in order to help us form a more informed opinion. We cannot make much sense of this news as the gentleman has failed to name the eight uneconomical routes.
He said LIAT intends to approach those markets to provide support but we don’t know if that includes Dominica and where that leaves the 8 million already promised but not delivered, contrary to the PM’s initial emotional flashy announcement that he will be making an initial $4 million payment almost immediately.
From a financial/economic perspective, it is difficult to see how LIAT will effect this turnaround of the airline’s fortunes in 12 months considering the deep routed nature of the LIAT’s problems, which will require heavy capital investment to replaced 30 year old aircraft.
The CEO said a lot while hiding pertinent details such as the factors on which the turnaround is hinged other than for Caribbean governments to find innovative ways to increase the volume of passengers rather than imposing high fees and charges.
This is great advice that our Tourism Minister must take into account when he speaks of tourism development. The regional governments cannot see intra-regional travel as a means of feeding their national treasury. Whereas LIAT must pay its fair share of taxes, governments cannot continue to squeeze out the last drop of economic sustainability from LIAT and kill intra-regional travel in the process.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
I think the CEO is right and time for a rebrand, with new image . Hope this new brand on the market will position itself and bring customers value and satisfaction.
It ius time that the PARO governments in the region stop overcharging people. the governments in the region are the cause for alot of the high prices in the region. eg
anu – slu
oct 27 2012
fare 105.00
tax/surcharge 33.37 usd
details as follows 10.50 usd sales tax
5.00 usd passeger facility tax
0.37 usd airport development
17.50 usd fuel surcharge
total taxes 33.37 usd
slu – anu
oct 31 2012
fare 85.00 usd special fare
taxes surcharge 115.82 usd
details
8.50 usd sales tax
25.00 usd passenger facility taxes
4.82 usd airport develoment taxes
25.00 usd airport authority taxes
35.00 usd airport passenger taxes
17.50 usd fuel surcharge
total taxes 115.82 usd
think about that, greedy people, wicked people yet they blame liat its time liat wake up.
ONE THING BLAME LIAT FOR IS AS THE CEO SAID IS THE USELESS ROUTES. UNTILL LIAT STOP THEY WILL NEVER SEE THEIR WAY. ST LUCIA ANU WAS AN EXAMPLE BUT WHO REALLY GOES TO ST LUCIA.
You are right. I recently reviewed the cost structure of a LIAT ticket and noticed that extra fees and taxes are equal to or higher in some cases than the base cost per leg of intra-regional travel. The taxes paid to the St Lucian government are particularly high – too high! Inasmuch as this is regrettable and unfortunate, it appears to be beyond the control of LIAT and this is a matter for government officials to deal with at the highest policy level.
The question remains what are the innovative ways in which the Dominican government can and/or intends to increase the volume of passengers to Dominica in order to increase the use of the services of LIAT and to make the airline more profitable?
Certainly, it is not by taxing LIAT or increasing intra-island ferry services as the dear consultant from Trinidad and Mr. Piper has advised.
Interestingly, while American Airlines announces its intention to stop its service to Puerto Rico –which will negatively impact Dominica, AA has also announced that it will be introducing three – yes- 3 more direct international flights from the US to St Kitts starting November 2012 bringing the number of weekly flights to ST Kitts to nine (9).
AA said it will be continue to serve the Caribbean but by strengthening and expanding its service through its Miami hub.
Do we now understand the impact of an international airport to the development of our economy? Are people still convinced that we do not need Jet accommodating airport with international night landing facilities?
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
No what we need is LIAT or like LIAT to bring people from hubs to Dominica safely, cheaply and frequently. Leave dem islands to fight to pay their EC$20 million to foreign airlines just to pay for empty seats. That EC$20 million does not include the actual running costs of the airport.
Dominicans head hard.
Interesting you post these fees/taxes etc but why blame governments fully? or even LIAT?
MOST of the blame falls on the voters. We must learn to connect the dots.
Alyou want airport???
Alyou want state palace????
Alyou want roads????
Alyou want stadium???
ALyou want want want want want???
These white elephants cost astronomical amounts of money to build and to maintain. Way more money than we earn or will ever earn.
SO PAY THE TAXES AND FEES AND SHUT UP!
liat been around for ages and can’t get their facts sraight. Is time countries government step up and get the ways and means of finding transportation for their people. Then Liat will wake up
Mr. Ceo, everything you said there make sense. If some route are more a liability then cut it. If that includes DA then do it. Dominicans too damn backward in mentality and backsight. We want to run an airport like we still live in 1812. This is 2012 people and if you cannot compete then its does not matter how much you put in the pot you have to be cut. You cannot want to be in race when everyone have cars but you still have Donkeys.
Liat have too much excess. Manager like Coolslatige should be fired. Too much old ideas with no substance and big salary..That needs to go!CEO turn this failing airline around and when DA ready they will get flights it they meet what the world is asking for in terms of competitiveness…
In the mean time we will go back to the CANOE for trade…cause we have not move far from that….DO YOUR JOB CEO!! PUT SOME SENSE IN THOSE IGNORANT AND BLIND FOLDED POLITICIANS!!
These comments below ( about 80%) are very shocking.
There is no where in the article that Dominica name mention but some us rather than coming up with suggestion we start to do what we do best argue from a position of pure speculation . For eg – high salaries by manager, Antigua government this and that etc.
The crux of the matter is simple. Liat was conceived as a regional airline own by governments( intuitively not for profit) to aid the development of the member countries by ensuring the movement of factors of production( mainly labor) and the export of goods/services( tourism and agricultural product).
In that regard liat have/ had an obligation to fly those unprofitable routes for connecting purposes( they may get more people going out rather than into a particular country) and to satisfy the overall objectives.
Therefore liat has and will continue to be heavily dependent on government subsides to remain in the air.
In difficult times some countries such as Dominica sold their shares. Big mistake.
Most of the countries have used indirect taxes on ticket as a means of earning revenue not withstanding the impact on overall travel. Big mistake. Hence the negative impact on tourism and other indirect taxes leads to a greater decline in total government revenue rather than an increase.( lesson one. you most consider the impact on the base before you increase the rate or know your tax elasticities.)
In most companies the salaries of top management is normally correlated to the size of asset that falls under management responsibilities. that said there is no way liat managers are overpaid.
Records can also reveal that Antigua by injecting millions even through borrowing from Trinidad and also guaranteeing borrowing by liat it’slef has done a lot to keep liat in the air to benefit not just Antigua but the other non contributing beneficiaries.so kudos to those three countries who realized the important of liat and keep the struggle even during difficult times.
In terms of recommendation.
Its a clear case that we lack the type of innovative and creative leaders to turn things around where liat( an other economic and social issues) is of concerned.
My plan if i am tourism minister. yeah give me Ian job for two years i will earn the rest lol and DNO this is my plan remember this for the future. lol
The Master Plan. I Would focus on sports tourism.i would get all tourism minister of regional governments to a summit to develop , cost ,and plann the financing of a regional premier football league. ( i already did a costing)
We already have underutilized stadium in each country. And yeah i would include Guadeloupe and Martinique to the discuss.
Also players have to be paid because its a professional league. already in Antigua most players are being paid and Antigua already have a professional team FC Barracudas in the USL A league.
We then have to move from teams to clubs , well structured and run clubs .
In the first three years team travel will be subsides by the investment of countries ,who will be share holders of the league.
by the fourth year government can start selling their shares on the RGSM. also a percentage of players rights that play during the first 4 years goes to the shareholders.
we start with one division ( the premier league) in the first year and by the end of the third year we add a lower division.
Games are played weekend etc etc
image by end of the 5th year we implement a semi professional regional basketball league.
there’s a lot more the mechanics of the plan but my comment already too long however along all this we must grow the economy so people can attend the games and travel to support their teams.
this plan is copyright to Ted Lewis . lol am i dreaming.
Ted,
This is a great contribution. I like it and agree with many of your points. Whereas I cannot confirm your assertion that LIAT was conceived as a regional airline owned by regional governments to aid the development of the member countries by ensuring the movement of factors labour and to facilitate intra-regional trade and tourism, I like the concept. It makes sense.
I understand your statement that LIAT has an obligation to fly –even unprofitable routes in servicing the region and facilitating other connections to the international flights and in that regard, LIAT will continue to be dependent on government support. Hhhmmm!
But like you said, this support cannot be an over reliance on taxes on regional travel to generate revenue. This is counter-productive and as you say-Big mistake as it does have a negative impact on tourism development and intra-regional movement.
Lastly, your plan is one I have heard many persons expressed in the past including Arthie Martin but don’t hold your breath for this to be implemented by this myopic administration.
When I become the Roseau Valley Parl Rep in the parliament of Dominica, I shall promote the sports tourism plan under the name – Nature Island International Games.
Imagine a Hiking competition along our Nature Trail. Rock Diving competition Mountain climbing competition, River rafting, canoeing, Island marathon, Tour De Domique cycling, The Nature Strongman Competition in addition to more utilization of the stadium with 20/20 cricket leagues with community represented teams on a nightly basis, athletics meet with young athletes from neighbouring countries etc.
We have the potential to be unique if we learn to think outside the box internal begging to develop Dominica.
Great contribution. Mr.Lewis.
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
FINALLY someone has spelled out the problems with LIAT. It is sad that only 3 CARICOM members own LIAT and to think that non CARICOM members are benefiting without any accountability. WOW, looking forward to his 12 month plan. Despite the fact that some countries may suffer the consequences, it may be a step in the right direction.
Well just stop flying to non CARICOM Countries. In a free market countries do not subsidizes airlines. If the airline can’t compete let is go bankrupt. If other airlines beleive that the routes are profitable they would enter the market.
The CEO is absolutely correct. we have been discussing these very same points on this DNO forum for a long time. I am glad the CEO came out and said it. Back during the price war days between Caribbean Star and LIAT in the early 2000s i can remember paying 200 and 175 to go ROUND trip to Antigua. My cousin in SKB paid 160 ROUND TRIP to Antigua and BVI. His mother told me that even with these low fares the planes were still empty unless it was a carnival or a long weekend. fact is our population in the region is too small.
I believe that Liat is a monopoly monster which resides on premises on unlimited support of the shareholders (=island government). All this bs exists because there is a paradigm the governments and people here blindly believe: if Liat disappear then all islands will be isolated. I would say: no sa! if Liat disappears the islands will be forced to compete and attract airlines which means: build hotels near the airport, improve infrastructure etc…Interesting that entire planet realized that the competition is a good thing and the ordinary passenger is the one who benefits from it. But as usual in the caribbean there is a strong belief that monopoly does good…insanity!!!
Finally someone is forcing the governments to look in the mirror and ask themselves some serious questions. It was about time. He not only needs to acknowledge where the drag is, but he need to put his plan into action.
Some of the “social routes” are right in Ralph Gonsalves back yard. The flights to and from the Grenadines are almost always empty, yet they have regular flights to these islands.
BWIA had a similar problem when they flew to all the islands with international airports. Most times they would land to drop off and pick up a few passengers knowing full well they were losing money. It was done purely as political accommodation by the PNM government to the other sister islands. They have since stopped much of that. Try flying to Antigua from New York on Caribbean Airlines.
Another thing these silly governments keep doing is increasing these fees and taxes thinking that will raise more revenue. St. Lucia did just that recently. They keep squeezing the neck of the golden goose. More taxes does not alway equate to more revenue. I don’t know what it will take to teach these guys basic economics. But they all keeo doing the same thing, yet they have trouble figuring out why the numbers keep dropping.
People keep blaming LIAT for high fares, but I have said time and time again, all you need to do is check the fare structure and you will see what LIAT’s share of a ticket . According to the new CEO, this is madness.
Ok new CEO, I am just wondering about your ‘track record ‘ when you were with BWIA ( Bound to Wait In Airport). In your period of tenure there, wasn’t that the time that BWIA experienced financial collapse and had to cu back and restructure? It is all well and good to come and talk about labour/Union problems, uneconomical routes but it is another thing, to implement a plan that results in equal air access to all concerned!
In your haste to reform just remember that Dominica contributed 8 million of its tax payers dollars to help keep this sinking ship afloat, and will want nothing less that equal access to the ‘golden child’ of Antigua, Barbados and the likes!
mr liat when u cutting off routes or your words WEAN out flights dont forget DOMINICA WAS THE FIRST TO PUT IN EIGHT MILLION into liat.good luck in ur new position.
LOL
I Agree with what the CEO has said, many flights have extremely low passenger counts at many times during the year..
LIAT never restructured when Caribbean Star came to A Halt…Way too much excessive spendings..
Why do LIAT still employ Station Manager who are totally outdated and drawing Big salaries.
LIAT will always be there but will never be a viable airline due to the lack of creative thinkers…way too much petty vibes in LIAT..
Mr Brunton,
I quite agree with some of your thoughts and share your vision for a viable airline. I think that Caribbean governments should proclaim their policies up front and allow LIAT to operate along commercial lines. Let me clarify myself. As a commercial entity the airline should have to pay its fair share of taxes, landing charges etc. The governments should not add on taxes on LIAT at their whims and fancies in a knee-jerk fashion, when scurrying to stem the tide of economic misfortune. This is tantamount to killing the Goose that lays the golden eggs.
I also think that when the airline is restructured, it should also be rebranded to present a new and refreshing image. You can build on the airlines good safety record and leverage its strategic significance in promoting the regional integration process. This should involve retraining and motivating the staff as the countless scars from inconsiderate policies and sometimes insensitive staff over the past decades still linger in our minds (For example a woman had had major surgery, needed help to carry her bags and was concerned about losing her flight. A pilot from another airline alerted a LIAT staffer – a Supervisor. Instead of reassuring the lady, the Supervisor spent several minutes scolding the wheel-chaired lady about not traveling with more bags than she could handle. This was sooooo painful to witness).
Going forward I think you have set the pace for some in-depth and sanguine dialogue on the region’s airline given that the transportation nexus constitutes an indispensable part of any aspirations for deepening region integration.
Well Mr. Brunton, I do hope you straighten LIAT out, first with teaching & sending them on some customer service courses, and secondly having the airline stick to flight schedule. I wish you well in your new role and hope for the best for LIAT because I am tired of “LEAVE ISLAND ANY TIME”
Good luck!
tight squeeze, now i want to know if that the fault of pm skerrit ,somebody answer me, let me see if that nonsensical myth will air on this topic.
Your playing defender.
check the level on taxes on the Dominica leg of a journey and compare it to the other leg and see which government taxes are higher.
we maybe do not own shares but we sure are putting alot of monies into liat…
LIAT has been charging a huge sum for tickets with all taxes included but i would like to know, oh sorry i am informing doinicans that LIAT has not been paying any taxes to the authorities in dominica for more than 8 years as i can recall… and to make matters worst our PM gave them 8 million while our own economic problems here can be seen escalating..
i would like to know if dominica is an economic or a social route?
are you that dumb??? really? time and again we have said here on this forum as well as you heard it from the CEO that the airfares are high because of the government taxes. i have said just look at the ticket for the break down and the first thing you say is “LIAT has been charging a huge sum for tickets with all taxes included”??? LIAT FARES ARE NOT HIGH!! ITS THE TAXES!!! jeez!
social
Thank you CEO Captain Ian Brunton.
This clear and frank statement was long overdue to declare the state of LIAT. Especially the fact that it has so many uneconomic routes which are maintained simply to ensure that they are connected.
But: “Brunton says “finding the capital to replace an aging fleet, even if the 30-year old planes are still working well,” is also a major challenge”.
Oh my, I think of this every time I fly.
I hope that Dominica is not one of those uneconomic route, even I do not fully understood what he meant by “uneconomic” route.
an uneconomic route is one that doesn’t make a profit. for example if it costs $100 to fly to a particular destination and the number of passengers on board only makes $90 for the airline then the airline loses $10 for making that trip.
I
n other words a 30 seater plane carrying only 8 passengers.
simply means not profitable.
Yes, Mr. Brunton I am looking forward to this turn around under your leadership, every CEO comes in says LIAT is not making money bla..bla but does nothing about it, good to note you plan to make a turn around within a year. I hope its not be increasing the fares and of course we look forward to more efficient and reliable service especially out of Barbados, they treat us like dogs the LIAT staff in Barbados.
Mr. Brunton appears to be mad at certain caribbean governments because LIAT has to subsidise a large percentage to regional flights and as a coined it, madness.What is Brunton talking about,Dominica is not in his commess.By now he should have received $4m from the Skerrit labor government with an additional $4m later.Skerrit should call this guy and asked for a thank you letter instead of his raging madness. Doesn’t Brunton know that we have increased air access at nights. Doesn’t he know that Skerrit travels regularly in an effort to get more business for Dominica.Doesn’t he know that not to long from know we are going to be flooded with Morocians.Doesn’t he know that when American Eagle pulls out from Dominica next year,Dominicans might have no choice but to use LIAT especially moving from Puerto Rico to Dominica.Doesn’t he know that we spent approximately $300M to improve air access at nights. Go throw your madness at other countries in the region,not at us,because not one of them had a strong economy like us to give you $8m and no questions asked by the people.
Hahaha I like the sarcasm in this post!
Good one.. Brings a smile to the weary face.
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
As hard as it may be for me to accept, the analysis presented here makes sense. I particularly agree with the part about the cost of a ticket.
When buying a ticket online, it is clear that fees and taxes make up a large percentage of the cost. When travelling, it is also clear that on some routes the number of passengers who embark and disembark is too small to sustain a dedicated flight and hence the reason for the island hopping.
Caribbean governments need to really step up when it comes to regional travel otherwise travelling within the Caribbean both for business and pleasure will be seriously hampered.
Maybe that was why Skerrit had to invest that money because maybe we are one of those welfare routes. Now I know Dominicans have no problem being on welfare and begging after all it has become part of our national character! but in this case the donor, LIAT, may not have any more interest in providing aid which would have left Dominica without any air access seeing American Eagle is pulling out.
In defense of LIAT at least they are providing welfare unlike the foreign airlines which charge our little islands tens of millions of dollars every single year to fly here and the day we stop paying these foreign entities the money they pull out and then what happens to the international airports? How do the islands pay for them? So every year for eternity we will suck from education, healthcare, security, increase taxes to pay the foreigners because welfare is not part of the equation at all for them.
Anyway looks like LIAT is gearing up to cut down on their welfare contributions so we better have a feasible plan and no plan will work as long as we have two stay over tourists coming to our island so Skerrit better start beefing up big time! that pathetic advertising budget they have there especially if they plan to fill their big fancy hotel up there in the north.
OK Mr. LIAT, tell us where these routes are.
people,
the airlines are moving out of our services!
american airlines is moving out pretty soon and NOW liat is considering us as “uneconomic route”, they mentioned only 3 caricom countries which they didn’t mention dominica.
its about to get stinky
he never said what islands fall under the uneconomic subtitle, we have no reason to think that we are one of them.
Cannot discuss LIAT’s viability without achkowledging the decades of corruption which is always the monster that resides in many heavily subisidized companies.
The original premise of LIAT was that all islands contribute a certain amount and in typical island fashion one by one islands stopped pying leaving the 3 he mentioned.
Part of the problem could be the rampant gross mismanagement of which nothing was being done. Could be. But of course the answer is not to stop paying. The answer is to flush out the culprits get rid of them press charges in necessary and get back on track. Machine-like vigilance.
In a global environment where the large airlines are cutting down to the brass tacks, our little islands will always be theh first casualties and just how much more money can we pay these airlines for their empty seats to fly here?
LIAT belongs to us and is our best bet and every island needs to pay our money and ensure that it is run efficiently, frequently with cheap airlfares to make it like public transportation between the islands.
More and more the need for regional intergration is reaching crisis levels and must be pursued if we are to leave our islands in any kind of shape for the next generations. LIAT is just one of the many components and if the region is to survive, we must think outside the box on every level. A process which continues to elude Caribbean people.
Well said Mr Brunton, the governments in England and America need to reduce the fares and airport taxes they are charging travellers. The airport tax in England is £300 and even more. This is rediculously high and this is the reason why travellers stays away and this causes the economic hardship in the Caribbean. People wants to visit the Caribbean but the fares and taxes are to high.
The Caribbean government need to come together and pressure Engand, America and European government to reduce these airport tax.
Je pense que tu n’as pas savoir ce que vous avez lit!
What does LiAt have to do with fares in Uk and US? The man talking about cutting inter regional flights and how some destinations are not worth it in the Caribbean.
Correction….
Je pense que vous n’avez pas compris ce que vous avez lu.
Thanks I guess I mixed up tu and vous as well as past tense of read!. Merci
ask yourself, are they uneconomical because the high cost is driving traffic to other carriers, or because no one uses you. if there are other carriers ie USVI/PR etc, ditch the routes and concentrate on those urgently needing more airlift. we know you have 12 planes doing the work 20 or some number, but some countries have been begging for more access for 2 decades already.
That guy though very diplomatic in his wording, still sounds very capable of doing the job and getting the improvements done. I certainly hope that Dominica is not on the list of “social” routes. (but I suspect it is). Though it painns me he is right, LIAT is a business and thus cannot give out charity. This is reflected by the incredibly HIGH fees to go from island to island. If some of us didnt absoulutely have to travel by plane we definitely wouldn’t. Which in itself is a vicious cycle because many people choose not to travel BECAUSE of the high price, and so once again those that are obligated to are forced to pay even higher prices. I hope the government heads of the respective countries can put their heads together to come up with SOMETHING. Let’s not bury our heads like the proverbial ostrich in the sand..until it is too late!
So what ever happen to the 8 million we promised LIAT
35% of LIAT’s daily flights are uneconomical. wow! my question is what percentage of that 35% affects Dominica.
We must however remember that LIAT was established to provide a service in the eastern caribbean. The original business plan speaks to service provision and not profitability. Successful operations was skewed on subsidizing operations, so now the tides have turned, so too have the modus operandei,,,going back to my bed…
Ok but if you are providing a service and you can’t meet your over head costs at a Minimum, then you are doomed and you can no longer provide the service.
(1). I neen to see what you are going to also say about the hight Salary that is paid to you all at the top in Antigua it is nor only about theses cost.
(2). I need to know where or what did you all do with the money the Dominica Pm give to you all or I need the PM from Dominica to look into that.
Bur all in all try and make it work. I hope you will do a very good job i will be looking.