During the test flights conducted last week, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, confirmed that LIAT 2020 encountered issues with its landing gear.
The airline had to replace its faulty landing gear to meet the requirements necessary for obtaining the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC).
The government has since acquired the necessary equipment, and once the landing gear parts are installed, the test flights will continue this week.
In the meantime, the Antiguan and Barbudan government has placed USD$12.1 million in an escrow account to buy two additional planes.
The Prime Minister confirmed that the proceeds are available to purchase the planes, but they need to be refurbished with new landing gears to be airworthy.
LIAT 2020 is a new airline established after the dissolution of LIAT 1974, which faced financial challenges accelerated by the Covid pandemic.
The Antiguan and Barbudan government is striving to revive the carrier, citing its importance to regional connectivity. The new airline is a partnership between the government and Nigerian airline Air Peace, which owns 70 percent of shares in the new entity.
Air Peace is expected to provide at least three planes in the initial phase, with plans to open an air route to Nigeria.
The Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) plays a crucial role in ensuring aviation-related matters in the Eastern Caribbean are handled appropriately.
All airlines operating in the region must obtain an AOC before starting regular scheduled flights.
idiot Gastro Browne poiting fingers at Inter Caribbean’s airplane faults while he own 2 bit Liat airplanes have mechanical problems. When you put down people you have be careful you dont fall on your rass.
The Venezuelan fighter jet has returned to it’s military base at Douglas-Charles.Ibo France,Zandoli and the blue acolytes told Dominicans the airport was being extended for Venezuelan military fighter jets.Lying to the people.
Thats an InterCaribbean plane though. Same company now?
ADMIN: They are completely different companies. We have since corrected the picture.
Happy to hear the airline will be owned by Antigua and Air Peace. I would not like a dime of money to come from the Dominican treasury.
Intra regional AR travel leaves much to be desired. The resurrection of a safe and reliable LIAT will be a monumental alleviation to the difficulties presently being encountered traveling among the islands.
Although I’m anxious to see a huge improvement in regional aviation with the resurrection of LIAT, I have to temper my enthusiasm with reality. Gaston and his administrators are not known for their competence in handling anything.
The diseased pothole roads, the scarcity of pipe borne water to residential homes, the irregular collection of household garbage, the late payment of pensioners, the many disappearances of citizens without a trace, all these do not inspire confidence in the Brown maladministration to deliver the goods for the people.All these have caused me to doubt Gastonia ability to restore LIAT to her former glory days.