LIAT back to normal but passengers face disappoinment

Stranded LIAT passengers at Antigua's on Friday

LIAT passengers who had been stranded in Dominica and across the Caribbean since Tuesday because of industrial action by the airline’s pilots have been given new flight schedules, but those who were thinking of being reimbursed by the airline may be disappointed.

Gerald Cools-Lartigue, general manager for LIAT Dominica, stated on Friday that airlines’ rules prohibit refund in cases of strike action.

“Once the flights are disrupted because of natural causes, because of riots, strike, airlines do not accept responsibility for inconvenienced passengers, that is airline policy,” he emphasized.

All LIAT pilots called in sick on Tuesday and Wednesday, following LIAT’s announcement that it had ended its relationship with Captain Michael Blackburn, Chairman of the Leeward Islands Airline Association (LIALPA). No LIAT flights had been operational as a result. Some flights resumed on Thursday while several were cancelled and some others delayed because only some pilots reported back to work, LIAT announced.

Meanwhile it was back to normal at Dominica’s main airport on Friday, despite some delays mainly due to maintenance, Cools-Lartigue confirmed.

He said LIAT sympathizes with passengers who had been stranded and is doing its utmost to further assist.

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36 Comments

  1. Get ur facts
    December 12, 2011

    It would be really wise that some Dominicans would at least look at their ticket Rules and Regulations when they are printed for them. check also the FAQs of LIAT’s website. You will get lots of information there. No one needs to spoon feed passengers. Read and be educated on International Policies then speak

  2. SUNSHINE
    December 12, 2011

    IF THE GOVERMENT WERE LOOKING OUT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO PUT THEM IN POWER THE WOULD MAKE SURE THE AIRLINES HAD BETTER POLICES TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS WHEN IS THE FAULT WHEN THEY CANNOT PROVIDE THE SERVICE BUT GUESS WHAT THEY ARE ALL MONEY SUCKERS MORE THE HAVE MORE THEY WANT ANT THEY LIKE TO SEND WHAT THEY DID NOT WORK FOR BUT REMEMBER GOD DONT THE UNGLY AND HE IS STILL ON THE THRONE AND HE WILL ALWAYS BE.WHEN YOU JUST TAKE PEOPLE MONEY THEY WORK HARD FOR AND DON’T PROVIDE THE SERVICE AND DON’T EVEN CARE JUST KNOW WHAT GO’S AROUND COMES BACK AROUND.TREAT PEOPLE WHO KEEP YOUR COMPANY RUNNING AND YOU’LL HAVING A JOB, BETTER THAN THAT SOME PEOPLE DON’T HAVE ONE TO GO TO ,THANK GOD

    • push
      December 13, 2011

      what d government have to do with liat strike who ever u r go back school man u sound illiterate, everything allu blamimg d government rain fall flood out d place is government tsunami is d government blame d government for the ozone layer too or fish getting to big in the sea i hope u see my point liat strike it strike shate

  3. December 11, 2011

    DNO,I would like some space on our website to ducate Dominicans about air travel because, we think that Airlines are supposed to be a free for all and not hold on to international policy. We need some educational comment here, I cant sit and read foolish comments about people who dont know about trvel.

    ADMIN: Send us an article on your thoughts to [email protected]

  4. SMH
    December 11, 2011

    Why don’t we at the very least try finding out what the industry practice is before we comment on issues like this. Check what happened recently when Quantas grounded all its flights. Check what happened when BA had a cabin crew strike. Find out how RedJet responded after it left almost all its passengers in Guyana. Can we please attempt, once in a while, to make this site a little more useful by making educated comments?

  5. Anonymous
    December 11, 2011

    WHAT DOES AMERICAN AIRLINE POLICY HAS TO DO WITH LIAT?
    IT WAS NOT THE TICKET HOLDERS’ FAULT THAT THEY MISSED THEIR FLIGHTS.
    THAT IS LIFE IN DOMINICA. JUST GET OVER IT
    PEOPLE YOU HAVE CHOICES

    • push
      December 13, 2011

      stop cry down da plzzzzz if u sell ur flag that is your bizniz wii leave or da for us plz

  6. concerned
    December 11, 2011

    I am wondering which one of the people who were stranded and wont get their mooney back would be willing to take liats management to court. (since this was not an act of god)or is liat too big of a giant???????????????

  7. bone
    December 10, 2011

    Well then the policy needs to change!!! Damn wicked companies….just sucking people bones!!!!!!!

  8. TJ
    December 10, 2011

    If we continue to travel with LI then they have the upper hand.

  9. hood rat
    December 10, 2011

    that is standard everywhere in the world. You cant get reimbursed aka cash back… but you should be able to get another ticket of similar value or travel route.

  10. Why disappointment?
    December 10, 2011

    Why be disappointed when LIAT made its position clear from day one? And that has always been its policy re strike action. We may not agree but if we know what to expect, there should be no disappointment.

  11. Rol
    December 10, 2011

    If there is someone that never had a bad time with liat, show him/her to me so I could tell them, their time is coming. I was flying from the US to DA when liat send an email saying my flight got cancelled and they put me on an earlier flight at 8:00am. That’s ok but the problem was my flight from the US arrives at 1:00pm. So, I called them and asked can you put me on a later flight after 1:00pm that day, they did, easy or maybe not. So, I got to PR trying to check in and the lady told me you can’t fly because you changed the flight we gave you and that is $130 US plus the fair for a new ticket. I almost died. On that same flight the lost my bags, send them to Barbados. Three days I have no clothes in DA then they called me to pick them up. I am asking them for compensation the lady looked at me and said ” But you get your bag doh” I had to laugh, because some people don’t get theirs!

    • December 11, 2011

      I never had a bad time with LIAT because Im always informed and know what to expect.You hould be a smart traveller. If I experience worse from other airlines why should I blame LIAT for following policy?

      • walle
        December 11, 2011

        Are you stupid or what, I’ve travelled on LIAT and on numerous times gotten sooooo disappointed. What are you talking about?? I’ve already seen from window view, airport employees in Antigua airport taking my luggage apart while I’m sitting on a flight bound for Dominica and although I mentioned that to the flight attendant she kept on trying to assure me my luggage was safe. Guess what?? I got to dominica and half my personal belonging (shoes, clothes & electronics) are gone, just disappeared. one one occasion the delayed my flight and Still had the audacity to ask ME to pay for an overnight hotel room!!!! On another occasion my bag was crushed by one of the tractors pulling the luggage and another piece missing, broken cologne, lotion and deodorant messed up all my clothes. I’m in Dominica for two weeks with no clothes, Ask me about liat and I’ll tell you.

  12. FattDoll
    December 10, 2011

    They are the ones that made the rule and they can break the rule!..DUH!

    • December 12, 2011

      LIAT follows international airlines rule thats why the airline is untouchable. LIAT is one of the most recognised airline in aviation that follow Aviation ICAO and IATA RULES.Dominicans need to educated.

  13. Anon Again
    December 10, 2011

    Here’s a story that’s worth reading. It’s from the New York Times.

    In Bags at J.F.K., Handlers Found Niche for Crime

    http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/10/nyregion/cocaine-smuggling-case-shows-airline-baggage-handlers-misconduct.html?_r=3&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1323522013-Vf4lFBBzN5VjXsAPrEsbew

  14. o_O
    December 10, 2011

    THAT IS PURE B.S.

    And we wonder who making all the money in this lousy economy and why others are left with empty pockets. LIAT too kopawezon i find. What damn rules that not allowing you to REFUND tickets if there is a NATURAL CAUSE or strike. I can understand the riot business, But NATURAL CAUSE OR STRIKE?!! LIAT needs some new management to reconsider all them nonsense rules and bias laws.
    Lets consider a person traveling for business and cannot under such circumstances and they miss the conference or so on and has no other reason to travel to the island. hotel has to be cancelled due to a natural cause. The person’s business place decides there is no reason to travel anymore since they’ve missed the conference. LIAT JUST GOING TO HOLD THE PERSON MONEY AND THEY DIDNT TRAVEL?! PURE B.S.!!

  15. deesse
    December 10, 2011

    i understand the frustration but we have to stop speaking bad of our most reliable caribbean airline and praising american ESPECIALLY when they have the same policies and are guilty of the same acts. check the record many of people have been stranded by american without assistance

    • still
      December 11, 2011

      I’m sure american would at least give u a glass of water. Liat say is not even that they responsible for. And u expect me to be happy about liat and want to fly with them again. Highly unlikely…

    • Forgiener
      December 14, 2011

      I agree about American. I travel on Liat when I visit. From the western US you have to overnight both ways in PR. But my kids travel on American from the East Coast of the US. They have had all the problems everyone is talking about on the Eagle. Add to it, the Eagle isn’t really American, it just operates under American. No recourse with American when the Eagle is late and you miss your connecting flight in PR. Be an educated traveler. Don’t expect the government to bail you out, be informed

  16. Spiffycas
    December 10, 2011

    So the question is, the “ticket(s)” that passengers currently hold will they be honored or are passengers expected to purchase new tickets? I will never forget the experience I encountered when traveling to DA a couple years ago. I purchased a ticket in March for travel in October, reached the LIAT counter and was told you are not on the flight. My response was impossible and provided them with my paper ticket. Unknownig to me, the airline switched to e-ticketing and did not transfer my information and I was left to fend for myself at my expense. God bless the day that this airline get their act together or there is another alternative.

    • December 11, 2011

      you dm lie, that as the time when caribbean star passengers were transferred on liat available flights and they had to use paper tickets to get on a liat flight. why dominicans soo ie and dramatic like that nuh, you all must stop it, one day all u will miss liat.

  17. Met Yo
    December 10, 2011

    Well Skerrit said he is going to partner with Liat. So hear this, make the first big move by selling couple passport to refund them people. Then they will say thank god for skerrit. LMAO

  18. Non Liat Flyer
    December 10, 2011

    Five years ago on my first trip with Liat to Dominica the plane from Antigua could not land at MH so we were returned to Antigua. Liat staff at Antigua refused to pay for over night Hotel & taxi charges or help in any way, I appealed to the general manager of the company and after 10 months of correspondence managed to get the Hotel charge reimbursed. I fly American now

    • deesse
      December 10, 2011

      becareful american has a similar policy

      • Malatete
        December 10, 2011

        This is playground talk. So if one is bad it is 0.K. for me to bad also? Is LIAT we are discussing, not any other airline! Stop trying to divert.

      • Pax
        December 10, 2011

        I was travelling two weeks ago from Puerto Rico to Dominica on American Eagle. THe plane could not land at Melville Hall and we had to return to Puerto Rico. Passengers were forced to pay taxi, hotel accomodation and meals in Puerto Rico for the night.

        Next day same thing happened.

        The American customer service representatives said “Act of God…AA is not responsible”

      • December 12, 2011

        AA has he same policy and Amercans don’t ca about caribbean people, you ill change your words when AA do you worst. Spit up in the Air and it will fall straight on your face.

      • Anonymous
        December 12, 2011

        FORCE MAJEURE EVENTS
        American may, in the event of a force majeure event, without notice, cancel, terminate, divert, postpone or delay any flight or the right of carriage or reservation of traffic accommodations without liability except to issue an involuntary refund. The involuntary refund will be made in the original form of payment in accordance with involuntary refund rules for any unused portion of the ticket. American will also reserve the right to determine if any departure or landing should be made without any liability except the afore mentioned involuntary refund.

        Force Majeure Event Means:

        Any condition beyond American’s control including, but without limitation, meteorological conditions, acts of God, riots, civil commotion, embargoes, wars, hostilities, disturbances or unsettled international conditions – actual threatened or reported. Also, because of any delay, demand, circumstances or requirement due, directly or indirectly to such conditions, or
        Any strike, work stoppage, slowdown, lockout or any other labor related dispute involving or affecting American’s service, or
        Any government regulation, demand or requirement, or
        Any shortage of labor, fuel or facilities of American or others, or
        Any fact not reasonably foreseen, anticipated or predicted by American.

  19. Cerberus.
    December 10, 2011

    This is too convenient and bad P.R. There are no rules prohibiting airlines from refunding their passengers under these circumstances if they wish to do so. They may not be legally obliged, however, claiming “force majeur” to abdicate responsibility and I guess that is what LIAT are doing.A lot of desperately needed good-will could be created by helping these customers nonetheless (…because that is what they are, not just passengers or worse PAX!) without having to admit liablility. Once again, the wrong move LIAT! Behaviour like this makes it increasingly difficult to appeal to the people’s sense of regional pride or loyalty when you are soliciting our support.

  20. charles
    December 10, 2011

    thats why i say to hell with liat. its time that we make araagments with air cariebes and air antilles to take customers traveling from sxm /gwada /st lucia to dominica and find some way for othersw traveling from other places . liat is just bull shit, how long again we travellers have to endure liat.

    • annoyed
      December 10, 2011

      where and how does this get setup?

    • so_silly
      December 10, 2011

      air sunshine

    • December 11, 2011

      Oh i’m sorry, we still have to catch LIAT guess we cant do without them.

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