LIAT assures customers ahead of Christmas season

A LIAT aircraft
A LIAT aircraft

Reeling from severe criticism of its much publicized ‘summer meltdown’,  regional airline LIAT is assuring customers that it is doing everything to stabilize travel during the busy Christmas season.

In a release, acting Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Julie Reifer-Jones, said the airline, through its fleet modernizing efforts, will be able to fly passengers as quickly as possible.

The company confirms that five new ATR aircraft have been added to its fleet with two more due to arrive in January 2014.

“Even as we continue the transition from the Dash 8 to the ATR aircraft we are now in a better position to stabilize the schedule during the Christmas peak, traditionally one of the busiest periods for us,” Reifer-Jones said. “We are determined to get all of our passengers to their destinations as quickly as possible over the holiday season.”

She further stated that LIAT “is also working with external agencies as it endeavors to improve the level of customer service offered by its employees.”

LIAT is also advising passengers that it is placing an embargo on excess baggage from December 3, 2013 to January 14, 2014.

Reifer-Jones said high passenger loads during the Christmas season added to the space and weight limitations of both Dash 8 and ATR aircraft are key reasons for a return to the seasonal policy.

She said that in order to make flying as easy as possible, passengers should adhere to LIAT’s baggage limits.

“The free baggage allowance for all LIAT services is one piece at a maximum of 50 lbs or 23 kgs. In addition, passengers are allowed one piece of cabin baggage at a maximum weight of 15 lbs,” Reifer-Jones stated.

LIAT is also reminding passengers that they should arrive at the airport to check-in at least two hours prior to their scheduled time of departure and that check-in closes 45 minutes before the plane departs.

For weeks during the summer the airline experienced long and inordinate delays as well as cancellations, which has been dubbed its ‘summer meltdown.’

Subsequently local businessman, Gregor Nassief, wrote two letters to the company: one complaining of its poor service and calling for an executive shake up and the other calling for the resignation of the chairman of the airline’s board of directors, Jean Holder.

LIAT’s Chief Executive Officer, Ian Brunton, eventually resigned, because of what he described as a  “disastrous summer.”

The airline had consistently blamed the problem on its re-fleeting exercise.

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30 Comments

  1. Anthony P. Ismael
    December 3, 2013

    This new attitude has to be demonstrated and proven beyond a reasonable doubt, over a period of time, before I believe anything from LIAT. The damage has already been done.

  2. Chris
    December 3, 2013

    i remember seeing the video of their public relation person on youtube this summer. Body language goes a long way. I can remember thinking you give black people a little position and they look down on everyone. Instead of an apology for all the mistakes they did to their customers this summer, she presented this smug attitude like take it or leave it. Well I’m choosing to leave it. Professionalism goes a long way with me especially when I’m paying.

  3. PROUD 2 B A DOMNICAN
    December 3, 2013

    dont be fooled by liat that’s just talk once u buy yr ticket thats it i use to work there

  4. jane messam
    December 3, 2013

    LIAT has stiff competition now hence why it is pulling up its socks. I hope they lose lots of customers – this will teach them how important our money is and we the public must be treated with respect.

  5. old school
    December 3, 2013

    Liat strike screwed me up november 5. Had to pay for taxi and accommodation since liat refused to accommodate me. I won’t b flying with liat this time around.Bunch of jokers!

  6. Ras
    December 3, 2013

    Liat can say what they want. Actions speak louder than words.

  7. December 3, 2013

    HO! HO! HO!

  8. natural dominican
    December 3, 2013

    Liat is the worse but we have no choice…I pay less money for a 4-5 hour flight from NY to St Marteen or barbados than i pay from these islands to dominica…plz if someone know another airline that does sxm to da let me know.

  9. grell
    December 3, 2013

    Passengers get their on time for checkin so give anothe excuse,liat is a waste of time,the entire worthless people @ the helm needs to go,tired of all the excuses.

  10. Paid off
    December 3, 2013

    Liat needs to do honest ny custmers, DNO needs to explain why there has been no story on the United Workers Gathering at Potersville, interesting….

  11. Jay
    December 3, 2013

    LIAT’s promises are just that, “promises” and not worth the paper they are written on. They have forfeited the the public’s confidence and it will take a long, long time to rebuild that.

  12. jude
    December 3, 2013

    You lost me and I won’t be back pay me for my luggage. You lost in February

  13. Langue Kabwit
    December 3, 2013

    Liat is a waste of time,we Caribbean people have stopped taking them seriously.

  14. Aha
    December 3, 2013

    They have a pilot that dealing with the a big boss in estate. Let her go! Liat to not easy.

  15. tj
    December 3, 2013

    practicum liat

  16. Peeping Tom
    December 3, 2013

    Embargo on excess luggage at this time of the year when grannies and aunts are transporting Christmas goodies for their relatives, friends, priests, favourite nurse, and others?! Huh, LIAT?! Embargo on excess luggage at this time when people are expected to share gifts?

    The answer is not in an embargo but in chartering additional planes and have persons continue to pay for the privilege of carrying their excess luggage. In this way, you truly help Caribbean people celebrate and enjoy the season. How is your embargo going to help us?

    SMFH!!!

  17. I hate liat
    December 3, 2013

    Tupes Liat. Wat r u thinking? a lil competition is ur medicine. I will only return to D/a wen i can get a nother flight. wat u did to me n my baby, is enof to let u go.

  18. FIRE........FIRE....
    December 2, 2013

    The energy we put out are the results we get. We should try to put out some positive in other to receive the same…Let’s hope things work out for the best with LIAT….cause our choices to pick and choose airlines are limited, it’s not like we are at the Canefield Bus stop going to Roseau and have a choice to choose any bus….lets just hope that better planing and management in place works out for the best for all, cause to be stranded at an airport is not an enjoyable moment…

  19. John
    December 2, 2013

    Fly Liat, miss Santa Clause and stuck at airport December 25th with no Christmas dinner.Liat is doomed as soon as there is a viable dependable alternative with small 100 passenger jet service direct from Florida.The 727 aircraft would be a good choise and can land in Dominica with no problem.

  20. Petithache
    December 2, 2013

    Ba moi la paix tan. Actions speak louder than words.

  21. A perfect idiot
    December 2, 2013

    If LIAT is serious and wants to regain lost trust they need to slash their tickets in half for the Christmas season. Otherwise no one will trust them with their garbage let alone to buy their ticket.

    • Anonymous
      December 3, 2013

      LIAT should slash their prices in half at the very time their load factor is at its highest? Does that make sense to anyone with more than 5 brain cells?

      That is probably the dumbest idea I have ever heard of. You may not like their prices, but why would they take steps to reduce their revenue at the very time they need it the most.

      They are taking possesion of brand new aircrafts, Christmas is just around the corner, they are at capacity and beyond and you are asking them to reduce their airfare? Which aorline do you see reducing their fare at Christmas.

      And to think people are giving you thumbs up? Incredible.

    • LawieBawie
      December 3, 2013

      I don’t often defend LIAT because of all the bull that they do. However at the risk of recieving a host of thumbdowns I must say that the LIAT rates themselves are not that bad. What really inflates the cost of the LIAT tickets and makes it as ridiculous as it is are the government taxes which are applied to the tickets. It is totally stupid in that our own Caribbean governments are squeesing their own people with these restrictive taxes which makes travelling difficult for many people and impossible for many others.

      • LawieBawie
        December 3, 2013

        Sorry I meant “squeezing” not “squeesing”.

      • LUCLU
        December 3, 2013

        My friend and I were discussing that issue last night. Regional travel is expensive due to the difference tax rates charged by the individual islands. Go on LIAT’s website and book a flight, on the left hand side of the screen look at the breakdown in price, ridiculous!! Do it for several routes and you’ll see how the fees and taxes fluctuate by route. If possible for regional travel there should be a flat rate for fees and taxes charged to tickets.

  22. December 2, 2013

    LIAT, LIAT, LIAT, why did you wait for so much criticism to make a move. One other perk would be to reduce the airfare from Puerto Rico to Dominica.

    THANKS FOR COMPETITION. IF YOU, LIAT, WAS NOT IN FEAR YOU WOULD NOT BE TALKING.

    COMPETITION WORKS!

    LIAT, I have a suggestion, while adding more aircrafts to your fleet, will one be available to fly passengers from Fort Lauderdale to Dominica – non-stop? Many passengers probably would rather fly LIAT than CIT airways.

  23. December 2, 2013

    Talk is cheap. Let’s see some results. I’ll use Seaborne, CIT, etc.

  24. KoKo Naughts
    December 2, 2013

    If only I could curse on here!!

    • December 2, 2013

      You can curse, just be polite.

    • Anonymous
      December 3, 2013

      I feel you. LOL! And Ft Lauderdale, being polite doesn’t have the same effect. You cannot politely tell somebody DEUX BEL MÔTS. :-)

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