Increased LIAT flights to Dominica to take effect June 1

liat

A new LIAT schedule, with increased flights to Dominica, is expected to take effect on June 1.

On Tuesday, May 10, a delegation from the government of Dominica met with the management of the regional airline where Dominica’s position on the current situation with regards to the airline’s service to the country was discussed. The delegation also heard directly from LIAT the current challenges facing the airline.

The new schedule will include the reintroduction of a direct flight to Puerto Rico four days a week and additional flights from Barbados and Antigua allowing for same day connections.

The move was welcomed by Tourism Minister, Robert Tonge.

“Same day connections are very important to us. The reintroduction of flights to Puerto Rico and additional flights from Barbados and Antigua will allow this to happen. This will also mean the afternoon and early evening flights will once again resume at the Douglas Charles Airport,” he stated.

He described the meeting as fruitful.

“We expressed clearly to LIAT the need for improved service to Dominica. As you know the Honourable Prime Minister wrote to LIAT recently and the meeting was a follow-up to the Prime Minister’s letter. The importance of LIAT to Dominica’s air access is critical and it cannot remain business as usual for the country,” he noted.

The LIAT management expressed satisfaction that Dominica is an integral part of LIAT’s regional agenda. However, they confirmed that a number of challenges still plague the airline including staffing issues. The addition of a tenth ATR aircraft later this year will further boost capacity.

Dominica delegation to the LIAT meeting was headed by Minister Tonge and Minister for Public Works and Ports, Mirium Blanchard. Acting Chief Executive Officer of LIAT Julie Reifer-Jones headed the airline’s delegation.

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64 Comments

  1. Mac
    May 12, 2016

    What allyou expect there is an election coming flights will always incre ase look at the timing as soon as the election is over sovwill be the. Flights

  2. When will these blind worshippers learn?
    May 12, 2016

    Right now 50 Dominicans stuck in Antigua since yesterday evening. Some of them coming from St Lucia and other islands and forced to travel to Barbados to board Liat to get home. Liat bypassed Dominica due to rain (according to Liat) and took passengers to Antigua where they were left to fend for themselves last night. The one flight from Antigua could not take them this morning, so they are now stuck in Antigua and have no idea when they will get home. Liat will do whatever it deems necessary. Dominica may be a shareholder but definitely not a major player in Liat’s eyes. Politicians, stop fooling the public. Dominicans are just too gullible.

    • Malatete
      May 12, 2016

      The public should also be told that Melville Hall is still not fully operational and has restrictions. For instance, part of the runway was damaged during tropical storm Erica, has still not been repaired and limiting aircraft movements, especially for flights coming in over the sea. Our government should be frank and make public these restrictions as published for use by pilots by the FAA, to enable potential passengers to make a balanced judgment whether to use flights to/from that facility or not. I am a critic of LIAT but we should be fair in all circumstances.

    • Tjebe Fort
      May 12, 2016

      Bad spirits haunting that place ever since P.M. decided to rename the airport for political gain. Roosie and Pierrot souls can not rest at ease because of that, trust me.

    • Atc
      May 13, 2016

      Was it according to Liat that searborne and Winair also didn’t land and had to turn back?
      The blasted airport was closed cuz of poor weather conditions.. u anti Liat optimist stop exaggerating.. there were only 27 people for Dominica in the flight..

  3. skepticalone
    May 12, 2016

    Wow so the Pms letter and this meeting had LIAT change all their minds just to match up with our exact needs? Great meeting my partners you really solved everything one time! LOLOLOL LIAT throwing you a bone to chew enjoy

  4. Kingdom Connections
    May 12, 2016

    Good Move, I hope the negative thinkers will be positive now because nothing can please them.

    • Mac
      May 12, 2016

      Flights only increa se for the election

  5. Memory
    May 12, 2016

    All this LIAT stuff will go away when the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica put an Airport on the island;
    Not repair the existing one, but build us a new Airport, then all complaints would be put to rest, and we will have frequent
    flights and less problem for connecting flights and less of our luggage arriving damage, especially when coming from sister island Antigua. Stop forcing us to overnight on the island of Antigua causing us to spend unnecessary money at their Hotels. Dominica and Domincans are being taken advantage off, first by our Treasury contributing to the running of LIAT and not getting our monies worth as share holders, and secondly by constantly having Dominicans overnight on Antigua in their Hotels, and loosing their luggage.
    Do you know that Dominicans have gone home, their luggage were left back in Antigua, and only got it 2 days before going back to their destination overseas?
    Building a NEW AIRPORT WILL HELP SOLVE THE DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEM ON…

  6. Jeff Shawe
    May 11, 2016

    Anyone with a hint of common and or uncommon sense would choose WInair any day over LIAT’s FALSE promises, delays and headache.

  7. Face the Facts
    May 11, 2016

    This is good news. Hope it lasts. Pertaining to their schedule and with staff, LIAT will have to figure that out.
    Business enterprises cut staff and reduce service to save a few dollars. This is the case with LIAT’s decreased flights. It may have nothing to do with passengers. LIAT’s poor service could be the cause of fewer passengers.

    • Da massive
      May 13, 2016

      Well I guess that’s why tourist ain’t coming to Dominica like they do the other islands. the thuggish government you’re a big supporter of is scaring them away. If take poor service over a rogue government any day.

  8. island girl
    May 11, 2016

    This is comes to me as good news!! because when one travels
    you want to get to your destination without all that added burden
    of delays after delays ,overnight stays in Antigua.I remain optimistic
    Everything does not have to be politics …Just saying

  9. Beff La LajereWhrn
    May 11, 2016

    Same nonsense as a regular traveller don’t be fooled minister this is just for Summer. Why one still has to go to Barbados to connect to Antigua. Staffing issue should be List’s last problem, they sent home all their experience and good staff saying to save cost.They have more debts,worse customer service and some uncouth staff the airports.

    • Da massive
      May 13, 2016

      What u people are failing to realise is that the Melville hall airport is not up to full operational standards therefore out of safety Liat has reduced its services to Dominica..Mr skerrit and Mr bardohille have the lists CEO the assurance that things wud be back to normal by November of last year cuz they were so eager to get Liat to resume services..I’m sure if ur check the Roosevelt skerrit facebook u will see some wonderful pics and video shot by Charlie jong that day.work didn’t start on the project until about 3 weeks ago..gadakan had his ppl there but refused to do any meaningful work until the got monies from the government since they prove to be such bad pay masters.Liat flight schedule has nothing to do with talks with Robert tongue or skerrit nor the by elections..Liat has 2 schedule a summer and a winter.

  10. Too Hard Too Long
    May 11, 2016

    Anyway boy, one day I will see Dominicans show appreciation. Do bad – ole talk. Do good – old talk. No encouragement.

    LIAT, thanks for the increased flights.

    • Anti-corruption 1
      May 12, 2016

      “Too hard….”: You Dominicans never seem to amaze me – love mediocrity. Liats puts on flights all the time &removes them a few months after depending on profitability. These new flights you are talking about existed years ago. It is just that now for some flights, Dominicans now have to head to Barbados to go north (Antigua, etc). Do you want us to say thanks? Are you aware that Liat announced on 6 January 2016 that they would be partnering with Caribbean Helicopters to start service from Canefield a few months ago? Flights opened up on their website & disappeared within weeks. Not one word from Liat or the gov’t re that announcement. As usual, Dominicans could care less. I have given up on you people. Always ready to say “hooray” for no reason & to allow yourselves to be constantly taken for a ride both by politicians and Liat. It is time to wake up from that deep slumber!! I lived in many countries but have never witnessed such stupidity from the majority anywhere…

  11. May 11, 2016

    No matter how many flights LIAT INCREASES T IS ALWAYS HARD TO GET A TICKET TO DA. I never like coming to Dominica. Booking a flight is a pain in the neck.We just need an international airport.Coming to Da this summer I have to spend two days in BG

  12. Doctor of Corruption
    May 11, 2016

    I wonder how much was given to LIAT for that? Any secret deal? I mean airport location was not changed, LIAT did not buy new planes and they did not hire new pilots, how come they changed so fast? Awa, some secret deal took place some where

    • Da massive
      May 13, 2016

      Schedule was out since in january..tbt flights were supposed to have been increased since January as u cud see by Liat adding an afternoon flight which was later removed..there ramp is just too congested causing long delays and near collisions when multiple flights on the ground..some of u who might have had the chance to observe when there are multiple flights on the ground wud have observe aircrafts having to wait on the runway to allow one aircraft to leave before it can park.what happens if there’s an aircraft in distress who has to make an emergency landing?

      P.remember in the airline industry its all about safety

  13. May 11, 2016

    I wait and see, the poor connections in Antigua appears that will continue , the Antuan Airport thieves will have a field day.

    Maybe if Liat will compensate in a time.y manner, and pay for late darpartures, and good hotels for DA Pax . Why the connections must be ANU? Mr Tourism director answer to Da plight.

  14. Jane
    May 11, 2016

    Still don’t understand why I had to travel from Dominica to Barbados back to Dominica then Guadeloupe to get to Martinique all because a flight was far too late leaving Dominica. Dominica is not on my list of destinations this year.

  15. lightbulb
    May 11, 2016

    Thank you LIAT you boy coming down to vote for Soufriere, and Roseau South Elections!!!!

  16. Anthony Ismael
    May 11, 2016

    Don’t worry, soon Larry Love will be providing direct charter flights from Miami to Dominica. :oops: :oops:

  17. Anthony Ismael
    May 11, 2016

    Roby and company came out of this meeting with more stupidity than usual. When will you guys get it that Dominicans do not like to transfer in Antigua? Flights from Antigua to Dominica are always cancelled, thus forcing our locals to incur additional overnight cost. Furthermore, the thieves within the Antiguan Customs Department are once again jumping for joy. There will be an abundance of bags and suitcases to steal from or take completely after June 1, 2016. You idiots are doing a great job on behalf of the tax payers. Keep up the good work.

    • Face the Facts
      May 11, 2016

      Are you the idiot? Some passengers may have had problems but I have never had a problem with my luggage in and from Antigua. I am certain also many D/cans.
      Today, with the decreased luggage weight, there should be no problem. If there is, it should be addressed to LIAT.
      Only recently LIAT canceled flights from Antigua to Dominica and announced that passengers will be responsible for overnight costs. This was due to LIAT’s canceled flights.
      Lock your luggage so that if anyone steals it they will have problems to gain access to the contents.

      • dee
        May 13, 2016

        Lock your luggage ???????????????????????
        No luggage is thief proof to real professionals .
        Trust me .
        I tried that with a very expensive lock, and became convinced the lock drew attention to the luggage

    • My 2 Cents
      May 11, 2016

      Duminican get hooked on Phonics. Learn to read the article properly before you comment and make a fool of yourself. If you don’t like passing through Antigua well then go a different route. Besides Antigua the article mentioned the reintroduction of direct flights from Puerto Rico 4 days a week and additional flights from Barbados. So what is your problem.

  18. Anti-corruption 1
    May 11, 2016

    While Liat will resume flights that were in effect before, they are removing the DA to Antigua 8:30am flight that allowed passengers heading north of Antigua to get there by midday. Instead we’ll have to leave at 7am & head to B’dos & then to Antigua (with a tight 35 minute connection that will hardly work out given Liat’s record) or get home in the evening. The 1st flight to Antigua will now leave at 10:20am meaning those connecting on Liat flights north of Antigua won’t be able to connect to morning flights to St Kitts, SXM, BVI & STT. Also, psgrs traveling internationally may misconnect in Antigua if that 10:20am flight to Antigua is late (we all know that will be frequently). Liat moved a couple planes to B’dos & now rescheduling to accommodate LI, not DA. Were those negotiating on our behalf aware that connecting Liat flights heading north depart Antigua at 10:40 &10:50 in the morning? If yes, Lord help us! The new departure time out of DA makes us a few minutes too…

    • Anti-corruption 1
      May 11, 2016

      Please insert ” late ” after the last word “too”. Again, the new departure time to Antigua out of DA (10:20am effective 1 June 2016) makes us a few minutes too late to catch the 10:40am and 10:50am flights to St Kitts, St Maarteen, Tortola and St Thomas from Antigua. One step forward and 2 backwards. Only in DA.

    • land-lord
      May 11, 2016

      Anti-corruption

      You must not venture into things you don’t have knowledge off.

      • Anti-corruption 1
        May 12, 2016

        land-lord: what is your point? I can only speak because I board Liat every couple weeks and all flights are accessible to the public and all statements in my comment can be easily be verified. “what things are you referring to”? Why don’t you go to http://www.liat.com to educate yourself rather than coming on DNO with your foolish comment. Do you travel or own a computerl? If you did, you would be able to confirm what was said easily. Luckily for me, I investigate and research before speaking.

    • Face the Facts
      May 11, 2016

      I do think this is nothing new. I have had to wait some hours in Antigua to connect to my flight to Canada. No exception with other passengers.
      It is not exactly leave one and immediately connect to another, be it to Dominica.

  19. MIA
    May 11, 2016

    wow that’s a step moving in the right direction, now let us see how many canceled flights we are going to have after June 1!

    • Concern citizen
      May 12, 2016

      I am very concerned that the representative did not asked for any proper scheduled frequency to Dominica. In that statement it does not state how many days Liat will be going to D/A, it only states early and evening flights ; what about afternoon flights. This means flights leaving D/A early morning and customers having to stay in the airport an unnecessary amount of time for your transfer flights.
      The representative need to go back to the drawing board and need to established these points.

  20. On looker
    May 11, 2016

    It was about time….that Antigua over night at your own expense not going down good at all..none sense..tickets so expensive….plus that…awa….put that together list..Dominica deserves better

  21. Dominican and proud
    May 11, 2016

    please who liat fooling ,the summer time is liats peak time for travelers to and from the Caribbean islands. The direct flights to Dominica were already there and scheduled to commence when summer starts. This is always the way its been ,lets see if this continues after the peak time is done. Dominicans research and check the facts before believing whats been said. I normally book my flights online and saw the direct flights schedule since the beginning of the year 2016. Liat come better than that.

    • FREDERICK
      May 11, 2016

      You are so right. In April I was making summer bookings and there had already been a number of additional flights on LIAT’s schedule for the summer. Don’t be fooled ppl.

    • dee
      May 11, 2016

      The same applies to here , . My flight was booked earlier in the year and it is a non overnight flight ,so no false pretence of some kind of agreement .

  22. Mwen
    May 11, 2016

    Very good job guys. Let’s keep the pressure on. I don’t want this to end at the end of the summer. Every summer LIAT increases flights to Dominica and after summer we are back to the Gwayay.
    Let’s not allow this to happen this time around.

    • Da massive
      May 11, 2016

      Guess u didn’t learn about supply and demand,,,Dominicans do not travel so why shud Liat waste it scarce resources to operate unnecessary flights?

    • Face the Facts
      May 11, 2016

      Is LIAT not aware of Dominica’s November festivals and Christmas and New Year?

  23. truth
    May 11, 2016

    wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, mama ., look corruption , elections on june 7, new liat flight on june 1, and new jet from june 2,
    My God, what is really happening?, Who will stop skeritt lord?
    Yes we can, Yes we can

    • Face the Facts
      May 11, 2016

      This is downright sheer ignorance, foolishness and wickedness. Stop it!

  24. Salt Sucker
    May 11, 2016

    Bi-Election………!!!!

  25. Ifraid
    May 11, 2016

    This is just the summer schedules to accommodate the ross students. Lets see if it continues after the summer season.

  26. WELL TRAVELED
    May 11, 2016

    \”MALATETE \”What kind of foolish question are you asking DNO? If you need the scheduled of departure and arrival times please contact LIAT. Since I have LIAT on speed dial, I\’ll kindly list the numbers:

    TOLL FREE: 1-888-844-5428

    OTHER COUNTRIES: 1-268-480-5601 or 5602

    Please add them to your contacts

    • Face the Facts
      May 11, 2016

      Thank you for the telephone numbers. I will make note of them even though I may not need them the travel agencies have them. We never know when they will come in handy and who may need them. :)

  27. cameron
    May 11, 2016

    I still did not see any big changes coming,why when flying from the US to PR,THEN FROM PR STILL HAVE TO STOP IN ANTIGUA AND ALSO FROM THE USVI.Dominicans please ask for more,going to Antigau is a scam on liat’s part.I will continue my SXM route.

    • May 11, 2016

      They are keeping the flights that stop in Antigua, and also adding a set of flight that are nonstop.

  28. john wallace
    May 11, 2016

    Liat is going to be into deeper debt with this move. Coming and going out of Dominica with half empty
    empty planes burning more gas

    • Face the Facts
      May 11, 2016

      Do you care? LIAT’s cost is already expensive. Maybe you should ask LIAT to lower it’s costs so that it will get more passengers.
      I heard LIAT is getting Ferry competition.
      I could fly from Canada to Guadeloupe and take the Ferry right to Roseau. How about that? The next time I travel to Dominica I will look into that possibility.

  29. Malatete
    May 11, 2016

    At the same time Winair are introducing a daily return flight from Canefield to Antigua –
    From Antigua: flight WM0905, dep. 15.35 – arr. Canefield 16.25
    From Canefield: flight WM0906, dep. 17.20 – arr. 18.10
    Flights are bookable now on line direct with Winair, lowest fare U.S.$.106/one way.

  30. Jaded
    May 11, 2016

    Good job, fellows!

    • Do your homework
      May 11, 2016

      Jaded: Who did a good job? I have been a frequent traveller for over 20 years and this scheduling makes me worse off than 20 years ago and in some ways even worse off than today as to get to an island north of Antigua in the morning, from 1St June I have to go to Barbados and then to Antigua to catch my flight. The connection time in Barbados is a mere 35 minutes and if you are a frequent traveller with Liat you know what that means. Right now (meaning May 2016) I could leave DA at 8:30am and be in St Kitts at 11:20am. As of 1 June if Liat is on time I may be able to make the tight 35 minute connection from Barbados to Antigua to get to to St Kitts at 11:20am but that would necessitate leaving DA at 7:00am and 1st heading south to Barbados. On a few occasions you may get lucky, otherwise you can consider it an 11 hour trip from DA to St Kitts via Barbados as your arrival time in St Kitts will on most days be 6pm effective 1 June 2016.
      Let’s get real.

      • Malatete
        May 12, 2016

        You have a point. In order to connect with the two main carriers to the U.K., Virgin Atlantic and BA who each have a daily service to London, one is compelled to take the 07.00 flight from Melville Hall and then sit around Grantley Adams airport for over 9 hours for the flights to London (both Virgin and BA depart at the same time, 17.10 hrs.), 5 minutes before the second, and more convenient flight (LI567 – mon., wed.,fri.,sun. only) arrives from Dominica. This makes for a total travel time of min. 18 hrs. and 20 minutes. Our visitors do not only come from N. America but also from Europe, a lot of them transiting through London and to help us develop our tourism LIAT should be more cognizant of connections with international carriers and have interlining agreements with them. They are a very important feeder airline in this regard. They are not only a regional carrier but an extension of the international network and a true recognition of this would help them grow their business

  31. tt
    May 11, 2016

    Thats great news i hope Dcans and visitors can start filling the planes now that traveling to DA will get a little easier.

    • Face the Facts
      May 11, 2016

      Better yet if the cost is reduced. :lol: :lol: :lol:

  32. LP
    May 11, 2016

    Just in time to bring people in for the by election :) – look jokes

  33. Malatete
    May 11, 2016

    What are the scheduled departure/arrival times please (flight nos.)

    • May 11, 2016

      Here’s their summer schedule: http://www.liat.com/navSource.html?page_id=885

      If I’m reading it correctly, that’s SJU to DOM, flight #561, leaves at 1400 and arrives at 1545, on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. There are similar flights in the other direction.

      • Malatete
        May 11, 2016

        Thanks mr. Foerster. Should have thought of that myself.

    • all you fellers boy
      May 11, 2016

      take your time nuh you aself! the meeting just finish you want them to already have that figured out? Early June they tell you!

      • Do your homework
        May 11, 2016

        All it takes is a visit to http://www.liat.com . No need to “take your time”.

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