LIAT to be “smaller airline” in 2015

Evans said LIAT has to examine its cost base
Evans said LIAT has to examine its cost base

Regional airline, LIAT, said it will be a smaller airline in 2015 operating a fleet of nine aircraft as opposed to 11 in 2014.

The statement by the cash-strapped airline was made in response to speculation that it would be cutting staff in the near future.

The airline said it is about to embark on its annual budget planning exercise and to put in place its operational plans for 2015, but said it is too early to say whether there will be a staff cut.

“Like any responsible business we have to examine our cost base and if we fly fewer aircraft in 2015 than in 2014, we also need to reduce our costs to reflect this,” Chief Executive Officer, David Evans, said. “We have also been mandated by our Board of Directors to ensure that our costs reflect the level of activity that we carry out.”

He said it is too early to say whether this will affect jobs at the company.

“It is too early to say what impact there may be on jobs as a result of this, and the company will consult with its staff and their representatives over its plans before making any announcement,” Evans said.

Meanwhile LIAT sad it has undertaken “a review of the fares that were traditionally offered to customers and has increased the range from seven to 15.”

“The move, which will offer customers greater choice and flexibility when booking tickets with LIAT, came into effect at a minute past midnight on 29th October 2014. All fares are now available for booking and travel on LIAT services,” the company said in a statement.

David Evans, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LIAT said the move will give customers more choice when booking flights.

“The increased number of fare classes means that customers will have more choice when making a booking as the increased classes now offer a variety of fare types and pricing levels,” he said. “Additionally, the increase also allows LIAT to plan development of future special relationships and greater management of interline and groups, who will have dedicated booking classes.”

Each booking class has a new set of fare rules and revised levels of charges for changes before and after departure, cancellations and no shows, according to the airline.

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47 Comments

  1. Free
    November 2, 2014

    Good move liat…u have to take action to make ur self lest dependent on governments like dominica who promise money and have its citizens asking about 8million when the PM knows fully well he has not given liat 8million dollars…Dominica went from having 8daily flight to now 4 and sometimes 3…had we really given liat 8 million we would be able to demand more seats…when this CEO took over he made it clear that liat will cut flights from non profitable,routes where the governments don’t invest in liat…so far he has lived up to his promise…flights to certain islands have been reduce from daily to sometimes 3 days a week..countries like Dominica and at lucia had there daily flights cut in 1/2…..

  2. Malpardee
    October 31, 2014

    I want another airline to take over. They need competition. People have no choice but to deal with their nonsense.

    • November 1, 2014

      Agreed. Another airline, another Prime Minister. They go hand in hand.

  3. MOU
    October 31, 2014

    That’s where Skerrit put our 7,000,000 dollars a couple years ago. This money could have been better spent.

  4. Bushmaninad
    October 31, 2014

    This is a good thing. This shrinking of LIAT could mean that there will be room for the development of a private sector airline to fill the gap. It is most important that there is a safety net government based air transport service to cover the eastern Caribbean. This is a role LIAT can play. LIAT however, given its background, its history, its culture and the fact that it is government own, cannot provide the required efficiences to be a successful commercial airline. As I see it, if LIAT is smaller there will be perceived opportunities for entry to the market by others. That is a very good thing.

    As an old frequent flyer, I remember the days of Caribbean Star, days when there was competition. It is said that Caribbean Star was not sustainable however if LIAT had reduced its scope as it now plans to do, who knows a different story could have been told.
    With this announcement and plan may be we frequent flyers will get a second chance.

  5. October 31, 2014

    Something is certainly not right here:
    Instead of progressing the company is regressing …
    You’ll are in need of some real business, minded folks..or just wrap it up and call it a day…
    Stop wasting time and money…
    You’ll did enough of that now…

  6. ATKINSON
    October 31, 2014

    So weare going to get screwed by LIAT again. What is this man evans talking about, greater, more choices, when less airplanes will be operating. I bet he does not fly on LIAT, his corperate jet is better. If their are any jobs cut, he should be the first one to go. Ahhh i miss the good old days of BOAC :mrgreen:

  7. Anonymous
    October 31, 2014

    So we are going to get screwed by LIAT. What is this evans talking about, greate,more, choices, with less airplanes operating. I bet he evans does not travel on LIAT. his corperate jet is what he travels on. If their any job cuts, he should be the first one to go. Oh how do i miss the old days of BOAC :mrgreen:

  8. October 30, 2014

    Oh no, less flights? Is that man insane?

    • Anonymous
      October 31, 2014

      Fewer flight pls., FEWER. Stop copying the Americans and their bad grammar.

      • November 1, 2014

        What is the difference from “less” and “fewer”? Please advise. How is that copying America and its bad grammar? My grammar is excellent.

  9. The Facts
    October 30, 2014

    What I thought at first, decrease fares not increase them. More countries with international airports, less service for LIAT.
    With the type of service LIAT offers, I am surprised that it is cash-strapped and may lay off staff. The service LIAT offers it is exactly what it will receive in return. Someday LIAT will be defunct.

  10. anonymous2
    October 30, 2014

    Liat is a losing proposition. There was a flight attendant that harassed me each time I flew.. I no longer fly Liat.

  11. KoKo Naughts
    October 30, 2014

    Bon Diay we finish beat!!!

  12. inside information
    October 30, 2014

    dominica has only pledged 8 million dollars but as we speak has not made good on its promise..only a small percentage of that has been paid

  13. George
    October 30, 2014

    Invite Richard Branson to by LIAT.

    • T
      October 31, 2014

      Richard Branson needs Liat like he needs a hole in the head.

  14. Island hopper
    October 30, 2014

    Why not a more efficient airline Sir?

  15. christian
    October 30, 2014

    Skerritt needs to give total accountability as to where the $8,000,000.000 went.
    This REALLY smells and accountability is a must.

    • Juan
      October 31, 2014

      Check his Swiss bank account.

  16. AA
    October 30, 2014

    What was the 8 million that was pumped into liat for? can someone please tell me? the rationale used by the govt at the time does not make any sense right about now. this is yet another situation where money is wasted by this govt without having a long-term or adequately thoughout plan

  17. Peacock
    October 30, 2014

    You mean his balls :lol:

  18. "GO TO HELL"
    October 30, 2014

    Yet the government of Dominica took 8 million dollars from our treasury, and gave to LIAT. But here is an interesting statement made by Chief Executive Officer, David Evans,“Like any responsible business we have to examine our cost base …. “We have also been mandated by our Board of Directors to ensure that our costs reflect the level of activity that we carry out.” Now let’s compare his statement with that of Mr. Badoiulle and the government of Dominica. “There is no truth in the sense that LIAT is cutting night landing flight into Dominica because, you know, the time that the airport is opened until 10:00 pm and we are opened to flights…” Mr. Evans rightly stated that any responsible business Must examine their cost base. Mr. Badoiulle and Skerrit telling us in essence that cost base is not important. The airport closes at 10pm and will accommodate anyone that comes. That’s what you call irresponsible business management! It is for reasons like this we MUST fire this government that does not have a clue about responsible business management!

  19. October 30, 2014

    Thanks god i dnt travel that much,It’s not my favorite airline anyway.

  20. grell
    October 30, 2014

    Here we go Skerro and Bardoille speak out,Skerro we get it right from the horses mouth less flifht to dominica and more stayover in dirty antigua,9 PLANES HOW MANY FLIGHT PER ISLAND A DAY THATS MY BIG QUESTION.I no longer fly this airline so good luck my people.

  21. Views Expressed
    October 30, 2014

    Thank you sir. Can you please tell us about night landing service to and from Dominica, its profitability, access and other matters relating to Dominica as a viable destination.
    Obviously with the receipt by LIAT of our (Dominica`s hard working poor people) $8M ( I think) dollars can you please account as to where exactly did it go.
    We were informed here by authorities that Melville Hall Airport will be remain opened until 10:00pm. Sir, lease advise , what does this mean to you?????

    Liat Liat….we love you

  22. hello
    October 30, 2014

    Fewer flight, higher price equals less visitors to Dominica can we see where this going.. Where did Dominica’s 8 million dollars went.

  23. liat
    October 30, 2014

    Delay of comment due to engine malfunction. . Flight cancelled so no comment on this statement.. Cabin crew get ready for take off but no cabin, it’s a waste of finger tapping to comment on Liat,,,, Liat is air transport not of choice but one has no choice especially to Dominica… Blame this government to an extent, because they pumped money in Liat liat, they put night landing n refuse to build Ann international airport.. Let Skerrit n his Kabhal, sit smile with labour comrades in the Caribbean, when just about all of them have international airport. .. Most Dominicans have not seen the massive airport being constructed in St vincent…. Dr Ralph is An A class’s leader.. but in Dominica the leader renaming instead of building a International airport. Charles Douglas International Airport….
    Only a new government can bring change…. liat n this government look alike.. ….one thing bout liat, they got great pilots,,,,give them that,,. This government got a question mark captain…..
    prefer de jamming of liat instead….

  24. Bee
    October 30, 2014

    While I totally agree that we need to support what is homegrown (as in lesser antilles)….. LIAT is defnitely not counting eh.
    Is now we pwee, less flights into and out of Dominica, More money for ticket, night landing was gaspeeyeah larjar, 8 million down the drain, no international airport to give us choices and CADREC said labour winning. hahahahahah

  25. Yam Babawoolais
    October 30, 2014

    Our PM was concerned that giving Public Works contracts is like throwing money into the ravine but he had no concern about allowing LIAT to take off with our money. If we put $8 million into LIAT we should expect returns and so far there seem to be no hope.

  26. Lang Mama
    October 30, 2014

    Doh worry Mr evans we will leave the JB Charles RBD Douglas airport open for LIAT just in case they decide to have a late flight into Dominica.

  27. Jim Lynch
    October 30, 2014

    With my professional aviation experience and 40 years of experience, I look at the dithering, waste, incompetence and broad inefficiency and see that, indeed, in a couple of years LIAT will be much leaner.

    As in zero.

    The nonsense that LIAT is doing now cannot continue. In 6 years 2008-2013 revenue has been cut in half while their staff has remained the same and expenses have increased exponentially, yet here they are dithering about whether the airline is even really in trouble, and now are making inconsequential and meaningless announcements with no schedule, implementation dates or even specifics.

    Haiti is on. Haiti is off. – A “Road Show” to Guyana? Seriously? I thought Ogle was a current destination? – Cutting the schedule to St. Lucia in half? – And now, having paid for all the aircraft and training, to chop the fleet and presumably pilot complement in half.

    My question: with all this chopping, who is holding the knife?

    And is anyone really flying the plane, or is Captain Chairman Maximum Leader Jean Holder off on another joy ride while he makes notes for his next tourism non-book?

    LIAT has become rudderless, leaderless, just another inefficient, incompetent laughing stock of a regional institution. MY assessment is that you may look for LIAT to close it’s doors without notice in the not so distant future, and for the politicians to shrug their shoulders and blame it on “the recession” – since they clearly will never take the blame for royally screwing up something that worked reasonably well for the last 50 years.

    As far as service is concerned, the major shareholders are covered. Barbados does not care, Antigua does not care, and St. Vincent has SVG Air.Dominica has been building alternate service to LIAT for months, and probably does not need LIAT at this moment.

    Everybody else? Tough.

    Also tough: That this process has to be experienced. But the fact remains that between unions, bureaucracy, institutionalised incompetence and a range of other built-in factors, LIAT has become too expensive an operation and too large a drain on the public purse, Better that it disappears and something more efficient take its place – and that will happen, you may be sure of that.

  28. derp
    October 30, 2014

    hmm so fewer planes and increased prices nice… which translates into even more delays and nonsense + less staff nice Liat nice…

    • Anonymous
      October 31, 2014

      You can only get away with that if you have a monopoly.

  29. Going down quiclky
    October 30, 2014

    Where has my 8 million gone?

    • hmmmm
      October 30, 2014

      Very good question

      • Free
        October 30, 2014

        Very good question. I think the question is did dominica give liat 8 million? Because from what I last heard they didn’t even give liat 1/2 of what was promised. Hence the ceo was calling on the governments to make available to liat the money they pledged..

    • CYRIL Llongting
      October 30, 2014

      Only shareholders seem to be SVG, BIM, and DA, so hopefully he who pays the piper will call the tune. Bring back flight #524 from BIM to DA!

    • Outside Looking In
      October 30, 2014

      Into the cost of the new ATR’s

      • Malatete
        November 1, 2014

        Even if it did that would only represent 15% of the cost of a new ATR42-600, the smallest of the two ATR variants acquired by LIAT.

  30. ExSuicideLee
    October 30, 2014

    The PM maybe scratching his head now. What he put all that money into liat for?

    • Peacock
      October 30, 2014

      You mean his balls :lol:

      • Titiwi
        October 30, 2014

        Carcon, how can you scratch balls that are not there?

    • Anonymous
      November 1, 2014

      How do you dare have the audacity to question our Mr. Super negotiator?

  31. Monroe Grad
    October 30, 2014

    Hmmm….. :?:

  32. Shameless
    October 30, 2014

    Hmmmm….interesting development! Hopefully that will help turn Liat around.

    Assertive, NOT Aggressive!

  33. Pedro
    October 30, 2014

    Great! Now it will be easier to be left stranded on account of airline breakdown. There will be no airline to spare to facilitate travelers. No doubt there will be less available flights for booking as well.

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