Efforts continue to improve air access to Dominica

Tourism Minister, Robert Tonge

A team from Dominica was expected to meet with LIAT officials in Antigua today, Thursday December 6, 2018, to discuss the improvement of air access to this country.

Tourism minister, senator Robert Tonge, said this was an indication of how the ministry of tourism and Discover Dominica Authority continue to work smart in advancing Dominica’s air access.

He said they were also working with Executive Manager of Caribbean Airlines, Simon Fabien, in an effort which he said is expected to bring some improvement to Dominica’s tourism later this year.

“We continue to work with Simon which will have flights later in December to Dominica, therefore, improving connections. We just hired an aviation consultant to ensure what we’re doing is the right thing and that we have the best possible ways to move forward,” Tonge said

He encouraged Dominicans to keep the country clean and green and to minimize garbage pollution.

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48 Comments

  1. Yes Fada!
    December 13, 2018

    “Advance air access to Dominica”… zor pa lass manti! Expecting ppl to fall for that hogwash… we still waiting on the direct flight from Miami to Dominica in October 2018. Sacway … !

  2. Pilot in waiting
    December 8, 2018

    It look like Robbie took a portion of the trial cannabis and it didn’t go too well with him.. This is just. Dry pathetic, shameful and embarrassing. These guys have turned Dominica into a laughing stock. If it’s not some puss in boots fake doctorate, it is constant talk of air access and tourism. It has been way too long. Pack your bags and go already. You guys have failed miserably, after 18 years of this, just admit bankruptcy and leave. You guys are out of ideas, no sense of logic and way too many lies. Time to go. It is a useless situation right now.

  3. Liz M
    December 7, 2018

    Despite the intl airport yet to be built, LIAT is the bottleneck in this narrative. If a country, island, anyone gives …yes gives, as in invests in you $8 million, the least LIAT can do is give the donor some, if not top priority. Poor advice with no priority expected in return for people’s money. LIAT has such a superiority complex that is preventing it to even make a profit, on top of that they do all that chest beating while playing one tiny island superior to the other. It stinks. Better can be done by LIAT.

  4. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    December 7, 2018

    You and Roosevelt will spend the rest of the days of your natural life crawling on your yellow belies at the feet of LIAT management like little rodents begging LIAT to fly to Dominica; and improve on nothing, the situation will remain the same!

    LIAT operation is toxic, Dominica is backwards that is a very sad combination. I spoke with a Dominican who is living in Antigua, she is trying to go to Dominica for Christmas, she told me the ticket to travel to Dominica, and return to Antigua cost very neat to $2,000.00.

    Why should some one have to pay so much money to sit on a commuter aircraft for a flight lasting approximately, twenty-five minuets, less than half an hour?

    Guy you can sit there and dream, LIAT will eventually make it exist into oblivion, leaving you all in your backwardness holding the bag.

    International Airport is not on Roosevelt, and agenda: We heard that silly stupid talk before What happen to your ferry boat; not working?

  5. REAL!!!!
    December 7, 2018

    LIAT control most of the aviation market-share in Dominica at this time.

    If they are not providing more flights, business 101 tells us it is not profitable for them as they have already cut flights in a market like DA they dominate.

    So the only way LIAT is adding new flights is if DLP GOVT gave them Free bag of money from the Treasury of the TAX PAYERS…once the money is done they will cut back flights again.
    BOSS:
    1.Grow the economy . 2. Develop properly our tourism product . 3 Reduce Fee on airline ticket . 4 Implement suitable road network infrastructure.

  6. Your auntie brother
    December 7, 2018

    Tell you what, I will travel like the P.M. , what is good enough for him is good enough for this Dominican, Why not. Agree?

    • Paul Rossnof
      December 8, 2018

      As soon as he is out of Dominica Mr. only travels first class and stays at 5 star hotels, all at the expense of the country. I know what I’m talking about, I’ve seen him in London Gatwick and now know his preferred London hotel. In the absence of an impartial government audit team he has gotten away with it for over 14 years. Once he leaves office Dominicans will be astounded at the damage this guy has done to the public finances. And some of you still living in houses with plastic sheeting as roofs. All you think this is fair?? Throw the man out before it’s to late.

  7. jamie
    December 7, 2018

    Tonge really Liat,partner you need to go,you all are smoking some crazy stuff,i can never fly liat again.

  8. Anonymous
    December 7, 2018

    we spent millions on night landing facilities. Yes, they can be used but airlines do not like using that, even LIAT so we did not get value for money. I remember, the P.M. did not go on that first test flight by LIAT. Does he even use LIAT for his international travels when he says we all should support it. Maybe he uses his heavenly chariot since he got anointed.

  9. Truth Be Told
    December 7, 2018

    18 years of Labour Party efforts, millions of dollars given to LIAT, and the damaging of Melville Hall estate and surrounding area in the name of night landing at the airport, which has only served to light up the sea and river during hurricanes and flood the area – I call it flood lighting at Melville Hall Airport!

  10. jeff
    December 7, 2018

    More talking, talk all you want election round the corner. Dominica will NEVER get an international airport. Just string people along all the time. Maybe it’s time for change lets see what someone else can do.

  11. DOMINICA AVIATION
    December 7, 2018

    What airline? We need improvement in both Douglas Charles & Canefield!
    More airlines to serve.

  12. Neville
    December 7, 2018

    He is trying to sell us the same stale fish he tried to sell over the last 4 years. A useless minister of an incompetent government if I’ve ever seen one.

  13. Living outside
    December 6, 2018

    Boy these people not easy. They really think people are still fools.. election around so they have to try something. Like it’s being a while they have not travelled to Antigua so they just telling the fools that they should go to Antigua. Creole festival was right there they did not do anything about flights and air access. STOP ……. FOOLING PEOPLE…AM FEDUP..

  14. little yout
    December 6, 2018

    The worst minister of tourism ever in the entire world. IF labour want to win the next election the prime minister need to fire this lazy minister.

  15. Game changer
    December 6, 2018

    This is not working with Liat . Why won’t you all understand
    I think it’s time to give young women and men scholarship to become pilots and aviation workers and all staff needed .
    Train these Dominicans .
    Then you can lease or purchase Aircrafts for them to work with.
    And then get an international Airport .
    Ok you don’t have money to make Airport, then let somebody/ company build it in Dominica and they sign a contract with govt for some years . All the Arabs with money can do that .
    Canadian company ACON can do it .
    This is not difficult people, why are you govt officials so lack of balls and fortitude. Get Help , and Negotiate.

    • December 8, 2018

      I always say this and will keep saying it the Grand Savanah in Salisbury was survey already by international
      company for an international airport and when freedom party came in power the sold the land most of the people that bought the land and build houses there is people that came back from overseas I think that the Government should buy back the land for an international airport it is the ideal sport .

  16. Zandoli
    December 6, 2018

    And herein lies my problem with these incompetent people. The solutions to these problems are simple, only if they knew how to solve them.

    Let’s start with the cost of air travel within the region. If the fees, taxes and levies were not so burdensome, more people would travel. The minister would not need to ask LIAT to increase the frequency of their landings in Dominica. The business case would be clear to LIAT. These idiot governments don’t seem to see the connection between their high taxes, fees and levies on air travel within the region.

    LIAT can’t fill their seat flying into Dominica, so why would they fly there more often? The ferry service out of St. Lucia, Guadeloupe and Martinique don’t seem to have any trouble filling their boats. Go figure.

  17. Badbaje
    December 6, 2018

    Dear Tourism Minister, Robert Tonge. I am at a lost. I thought you all were in talks about the International Airport. You all had been working with a group on a feasibility study on where would be the best place to build the new international airport, and had already decided on the location. You all were ready to purchase the land to start building this airport. You all told the people who owned the property to get ready to sell, your office will be contacting them very soon.
    Now you are talking about improving air access by talking to and with LIAT, the worst airline ever.
    “A team from Dominica was expected to meet with LIAT officials in Antigua today, Thursday December 6, 2018, to discuss the improvement of air access to this country.

    Tourism minister, senator Robert Tonge, said this was an indication of how the ministry of tourism and Discover Dominica Authority continue to work smart in advancing Dominica’s air access.”
    I am really at a lost, please explain!

  18. DEE
    December 6, 2018

    When comes to air access into Dominica , i’ ve heard it all, from Prime Minister downwards, Is a promise , promise , promise , all BS.
    when ever election around the corner, is new air line , new carriers , new plans , new schedules , new routes , but you know whats most annoying , Dominicans fall for it time and again , over and over, again and again , then for the next 4 years we get stuck in Antigua taking BS or Barbados languishing . We are being ripped off again and again . The extortion never stops . Not me nah again , I get so much more value for my hard earned dosh, vacationing everywhere else .I cannot continue to be so unfair to myself saying let me come home on vacation . That done , let me experience where i enjoy.
    Is my money , my choice ,my vacation , therefore my experience .

  19. Ibo France
    December 6, 2018

    The Minister’s comments are so pedestrian that they hardly merit a response. The present near death economy of Dominica does not generate enough economic activity to warrant an increase in flights to the country. Put bluntly, the Dominican route is not a financially viable one unless the government is prepared to compensate the prospective airlines for all their empty seats, on every flight, in and out of the country. Resurrect the economy, develop the country’s infrastructure (international airport, proper roads and bridges, etc.), engage in medical and sports tourism, if you want to attract traffic at the airports.

    • Iamanidiot
      December 7, 2018

      Medical tourism, far off wi, if you bounce your head you have to go Martinuque or Barbados.

  20. Dominican
    December 6, 2018

    Given past promises, expiriences and disappointments I think it prudent not to make comments till improvements are actually in place and working

  21. Fbother
    December 6, 2018

    Hahahaha boi I swear these politicians are comedians. .. thesee guys even looks like fools now

  22. %
    December 6, 2018

    Robbie, shameless Robbie,bro I give up on you ….Air access into Dominica you said?So this time around ,you , Skerrit and the other MISLEADERS are not mentioning international airport? Air access will only get better when you all are kicked out of office at the next election….Robbie what about the ticket system for those who wantonly litter the city?During your tenure as Tourism Minister Roseau has been at it dirtiest..Not even the combined Robbie and crook JI,can create the environment needed to to endear visitors to the city ..What a shame! That’s why Roseau people should reject you all imposters Robbie,crook JI and DLP lock,stock and barrel.
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now

  23. Maybe
    December 6, 2018

    We need an international airport stop begging other Caribbean countries to work with you all lazy labour party and there cabal need to go

    • DEE
      December 6, 2018

      Robert
      look at your face , your expression says it all .
      words without conviction

      • %
        December 6, 2018

        Ha!Ha!Ha!
        Robbie is so shameless!
        Oh my!

  24. Midnight Hour
    December 6, 2018

    Boy hear the shameless, corrupt and lazy government that pushed Dominica back by 50 years! They can’t even get LIAT to resume normal opperation here just a couple years after they gave LIAT $11 million dollars magwesa! Meanwhile see this article herehttps://www.iwnsvg.com/2018/12/05/liat-resumes-more-flights-to-bvi/. For the sake of Dominica why these bunch of corrupt politicians don’t just resign and allow a team with a well able leader to come take us out of this very dark and deep hole these guys put us in nou stupes

  25. Channel 1
    December 6, 2018

    Steeeuuuuuuuupppppppppppssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    NEXT!!!!

    • DEE
      December 6, 2018

      ”We just hired an aviation consultant”
      I dare you disclose who is the consultant .
      We will still get to know though when the chips fall in .
      Allu Man tan .
      Sadly, no human being can take wealth with them, when they shut their eyes for the last time . If that was possible i’d like to see how some of you would behave, even in de cemetery , and six foot under , allu would still try to amass wealth.
      Nothing in Heaven is for sale, for the lucky ones who get there , nor can you all pay the devil any amount of money to get out of hell, he not negotiating . ,

  26. max
    December 6, 2018

    New airline sir. Everytime Dominica gets a new airline…LIAT improves …fight galour….cheap too. The they aggressively invade the competition. As long as the competition gone. LIAT back to the same S__T

  27. Anthony P. Ismael Minister of Free Pampers
    December 6, 2018

    That’s a waste of time meeting. You do not have true night landing, meaning that American registered aircraft will never land at Melville Hall, via a water landing. We do not have the volume of constant traffic in and out of Dominica to warrant more flights from LIAT. Airlines need to fill at least 80% of their seats to turn a profit. So what will become out of this meeting, a great news headline that did not solve the airport or air access issue on the island.

  28. max
    December 6, 2018

    Continue by boy…you mean efforts are in our heads.

  29. Crucial Comments
    December 6, 2018

    Been in America for 20 years. I remember buying my first ticket to return back in 1999 – $967. Today, trying to buy ticket 20 years later – $987. Ticket to Barbados – $487, Ticket to Guadeloupe – $488. It’s just ridiculous how coming home is always so expensive compared to other Caribbean islands. Please get it together!!!!!!

    • Iamanidiot
      December 7, 2018

      Very true, I can get a ticket to states from Barbados 400-500 US on a good day. Check the price of a Ticket to Dominica to Barbados. 470. At times it cheaper to go to America, than it is to go to Barbados, but hey..Labour Ka Twavie.

  30. rcg
    December 6, 2018

    For starters they can reinstate the evening night flight from Barbados into DA

    • Channel 1
      December 6, 2018

      @rcg – And also they should reinstate the Dominica stop for the south-bound evening flight LIAT 523 which originates out of Antigua.

  31. Zamm
    December 6, 2018

    Mr minister, just to help you with some commonsensical wisdom, the only solution is the international airport. Air access nonsense without an international airport… Just another round of empty words with no truth….. No international airport noooo vote…..

  32. AA
    December 6, 2018

    garszon you too sort. Never heard such crap before. where is the direct flights from Florida to Dominica? This administration continues to display their incompetence and there inability to be creative

  33. Iamanidiot
    December 6, 2018

    Where the flights to Florida? Fingers still crossed? You doe uncross dem yet?

    • derp
      December 6, 2018

      so long that crossed it dun cramp :lol:

  34. weh
    December 6, 2018

    What ever happened to that direct flight from Miami, that was promised by the tourism minister not to be an election gimmick?

    • I am mine own
      December 6, 2018

      Likely a ploy to keep Ross students hopeful (at the time.)

      More of us in the Diaspora might return if it didn’t take all day to return home.

      • Mike Xavier
        December 6, 2018

        Not sure what the answer is, but love your comment about how difficult it is to come home, and super expensive to! The issue is complex because international airport or not there is no volume of passengers to justify an international airport today. This creates the question of which comes first the chicken or the egg? Is the airport going to spur economic activity or do you need the activity to justify the airport? What about cleaning the mess called Roseau where there are more cars than people and sidewalks in the most deplorable conditions. I visited my grandfather last week for his birthday and once I entered Roseau, I got a headache. Love Dominica; I left 31 yrs ago, I plan on taking my family back during spring break to see grandpa. We will go via Guadeloupe. Unfortunately we will only stay 2 nights on DA because I will not torture my kids. We will spend the rest of the time I Guadeloupe, sorry…

      • vrai den
        December 6, 2018

        You mean two and three days to return home.

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        December 8, 2018

        Don’t you know Ross medical school students no longer have to worry about Dominica, Roosevelt, Tongue and LIAT.

        Don’t you  know Ross students can fly from any destination in the world directly to and out of Barbados? Roosevelt thought his lies would have kept Ross Medical School in bondage as he has our nation people in a circles of his lies from which they cannot escape; our people are dumb, they believe anything!

        Americans are out there to make money, and if Roosevelt thought they were in Dominica, because they love Dominicans, or him, and his lies; they showed him that he is not important; it is not him: with investors it is where it is more convenient for them operate.

        They tolerated Dominica while American Eagle flew to Dominica; now American Eagle no longer exists, Ross yearned to pull out and leave Roosevelt nature island to him him and his Pizza man his so called minister of tourism, who said Ferry boat will cause more people to visit Dominica. 

    • Iamanidiot
      December 6, 2018

      His fingers still crossed on that one

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