LIAT aircraft back in service; another expected this week

One of LIAT's new ATR aircraft
One of LIAT’s new ATR aircraft

Regional airline, LIAT, is announcing improved service with the return of a grounded aircraft to its network.

At the same time the company is announcing that it expects to take delivery of its third new ATR 72 from the France-based manufacturer later this week.

One of the airline’s two newly acquired ATR aircraft which was grounded in Barbados for about a week due to a technical issue and LIAT says it is pleased the matter is now resolved.

“Nothing is more important to us than the security and safety of our passengers,” said Ian Brunton, LIAT’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The ATR 72, a twin-engine turboprop short-haul regional aircraft, is one of two such planes recently acquired by the company in its fleet modernisation programme.

“Unfortunately, in the aviation business aircraft, both old and new, experience technical issues from time to time, but safety is our major concern and we apologise that our passengers were inconvenienced, especially during the peak summer season, ” Brunton added.

Reiterating LIAT’s safety focus required immediate action on maintenance concerns, the CEO reported: “The new parts that were needed have arrived and been installed in Barbados – our Maintenance Team has given the aircraft the thumbs up.”

The ATR-600 brings new operational capability to the ATR family through outstanding performance at take-off on short runways, increased max payload, reduced maintenance costs, redesigned cabin, and latest avionics technology.

To improve passenger comfort and operational efficiency LIAT is replacing all of its Dash 8 aircraft with the ATR aircraft.

Later this week, LIAT expects to take delivery of its third new ATR 72 from the France-based manufacturer.

The third new aircraft is part of LIAT’s re-fleeting programme which is expected to be completed next year and will see the aging fleet of Dash 8 aircraft being replaced with 12 brand new ATR-600 series aircraft.

The new fleet will include a mixture of 68- and 48-seaters.

By the first quarter of 2014, more than half of the new ATRs are expected to be operating throughout LIAT’s network, with the remaining airplanes expected to come on line by the end of 2014.

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11 Comments

  1. December 27, 2013

    Ηe said ” After hearing what you just said, I 100% accept you, it absolutely was all on our guy. For example, there can be a safe driver discount that you qualify for. Apart through the basic motor insurance, Denmark insurance companies may offer different special cover for your vehicle.

  2. voice
    August 20, 2013

    Liat service back in service don’t care.. we need a new airline service… stupes :twisted:

  3. Tyre hit de road
    August 20, 2013

    They Need to Put some young Caribbean youth to run this Airline All old C E O over 60 so should be out
    Liat Needs a Young Professional CEO /Leader

  4. PAC
    August 20, 2013

    Has anyone used seaborneairlines from PR to Dominica? I’m considering them. They can’t be worse than LIAT…

  5. A Lashley
    August 19, 2013

    New planes. New CEO, Chairman and Management,

  6. babalene
    August 19, 2013

    Over ten years ago I recommended that LIAT should have been dissolved and that a new airline allowed to start up operations; that was prior to BWIA being dissolved by the Trinidad and Tobago Government no body saw the merit in that; I think the time is still opportune to dissolve LIAT and as an immediate alternative allow Caribbean Airlines to take over the routes that LIAT operate and to do so under one Caribbean Airline-some may say we are trying to create a monopoly airline I am saying not really – (in fact the more we stay divided on the regions need for a one regional airline the better the foreign airlines do ) – I would therefore have Caribbean Airlines who already own a fleet of Dash 8 aircraft take over LIAT’s routes and scheduling. if we claim as CARICOM we are one people, one region, one space why not have one airline that drives home that point and if we say that we should do joint business venture then here lies the opportunity to do something about this menance they call LIAT; Trinidad did bite the bullet to get rid of BWIA amongst a whole lot of empty noises claiming why it could not be done; If Trinidad could do with BWIA i suggest that we do the same with LIAT cut our losses and lets start afresh; if not trust me we will keep flogging this dead horse they call LIAT;
    Those of us who believe that an international jet port will solve our issues that liat presents I am not in full agreement – for the simple reason that we will not find a jet service that will island hop – a service our people require and grew accustom to – that will just be to expensive- but who said we need to island hop – we need to segment the caribbean market and to see what the needs of each island is – maybe then we will be able to bring in passengers into hub airports and ports and where islands are very close have a ferry service instead of a plane service – but to achieve that we have to view the transportation problems in the Caribbean as a transportation sector problem – and have a hollistic approach to the solution instead of a piece meal approach as we are now seeing and doing. my two cents on the matter.

  7. SXM
    August 19, 2013

    In other for LIAT to be more effective, the caribbean leaders need to replace the entire board of directors.(Top Staff)
    How can you expect change with the same people in position? This is insanity.

  8. Anonymous
    August 19, 2013

    Good. The ontime performance should improve!!

  9. Leans
    August 19, 2013

    Liat need competition

    • adana
      August 20, 2013

      ikr is competition they dont have thats why they doing all that crap!

  10. CONCERENED CITIZEN
    August 19, 2013

    DEAR SIR
    ITS NICE TO SEE THAT LIAT IS MOVING FORWARD .
    BUT WE NEED A IMMIDIATE SOLUTION THAN A LONG TIME ONE .

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