LIAT to begin commercial flights at Douglas Charles Airport

A LIAT flight at the Douglas Charles Airport last week
A LIAT flight at the Douglas Charles Airport last week

Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has announced that based on advice given by LIAT, the airline will begin commercial flights at the Douglas Charles Airport on Wednesday (today).

He said on LIAT’s technical team arrived at the airport, which was severely damaged by Tropical Storm Erika, on Tuesday to set up its computer system since the terminal building now has electricity and there is internet connection.

“The idea is to set up their IT system, their computers and ticketing system and we have been advised by LIAT that they will resume flights into Dominica, at the Douglas Charles Airport on Wednesday the 16th of September,” he stated on Tuesday afternoon.

The Prime Minister noted that although things might change, the advisory given by LIAT is that flights would begin and he looked forward to LIAT’s schedule being posted online by Tuesday evening.

He said progress is being made in reconstructing the island after Erika, although it will take a long time.

“But we are seeking to prioritize areas and see how quickly the government can move in to put temporary structures, while at the same time planning for more permanent structures and more permanent arrangements in respect to our response to Tropical Storm Erika and our move to the reconstruction of our country,” Skerrit said.

Several non commercial LIAT flights have already landed at the airport.

Initial estimates show that it will take $39.5-million to restore the Douglas Charles Airport to full functionality.

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19 Comments

  1. September 17, 2015

    Guys chill out, if you all have not realised we are still in disaster mode as we comment there are villages that are still cut off from the rest of the island and are running low on supplies. We sound rather selfish when we sit and complain about a two day delay of the reopening of an airport.

  2. Check please...
    September 16, 2015

    Can anyone in the Marigot area confirm whether any LIAT flight landed today please.. Much appreciated…

    In fact what about DBS, Kairi and Q95, when I listen to the radio tomorrow morning will there be an update on this in the morning news. These are the key things listeners want you to follow up on…. Learn to follow up on key developments as this. Many many people want to know… Not everyone can take the boat. Much thanks.

    • the fly
      September 17, 2015

      Check please, best way to find out is to go on line you will find out all you need to know it’s easy as that.

  3. TK THOMAS
    September 16, 2015

    stop fooling people so many stops from Australia just to visit home as the planes gets from big to mini

  4. TK THOMAS
    September 16, 2015

    39 .9 million can build another mini port to allow toy planes to visit Dominica

  5. interesting
    September 16, 2015

    Is that so? I’ve been on the phone with Liat and up till 5 minutes ago I was told that no liat flights are going to Dominica and I’ll have to go through St. Lucia, Guadeloupe or Martinique and take the ferry from there.

  6. originaljahguide
    September 16, 2015

    Inquiring minds need to know what is up with Mr. Reginald Austrie. He is paid being paid a monthly salary by tax payers of this land. Hence the reason for needing to know. Come on Mr. Press Attache

  7. Thank you
    September 16, 2015

    Thank you, thank you. We are getting somewhere. Any news also of Seaborne?

  8. ATKINSON
    September 16, 2015

    Any night landing :mrgreen:

  9. ohh
    September 16, 2015

    how and where do u book a flight…because I check liat.com and Dominica does not exist.

  10. Da massive
    September 16, 2015

    i just saw some imaginary liat fligts land and take off at douglas charles with toy people..

    • Barbara Saunders
      September 18, 2015

      Da Massive

      If you were not so impatient to wish for the imaginary flights to remain imaginary and put further hardship on your fellow Dominicans you would have waited until today, Friday to see some real people, not toy people disembarking and embarking on the LIAT flights.

      Your disappointment must be phenomenal, hope that you can sleep tonight after LIAT took away your joy.

  11. William Mc Lawrence
    September 16, 2015

    Good news is always Good… Happy to hear that LIAT will resume commercial passenger flights today into and out of Douglas-Charles Airport. The many foreign and local volunteers, as well as the Management and Staff of the Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority (DASPA) must be commended for all their hard work at getting the airport back into operations… Signs that our island is well on its way to full recovery.

    However, I wish to urge the Government to seriously consider an international airport development programme in the foreseeable future as such a facility will help to boost air traffic into Dominica by enhancing economic activity, especially the hospitality and tourism sector, and improving the liveliboods of many people.

    Let’s rise again as a people for the benefit of our Country :wink:

  12. Confused!!!!
    September 16, 2015

    I’d tried calling LIAT to reschedule a flight but the representative who answered the phone said as far as they know, DC Airport is closed and they have not received any correspondence to start booking flights

    • Also Confused
      September 16, 2015

      I checked the website and also, no flights are shown to be available for Dominica. Not even in October! Now, it may just be the particular flight I’m asking for (DOM to SXM), but still. Nothing?

      Calling up LIAT is already a pain with the long wait and random disconnections. What is a traveler to do then?

    • Kris A.
      September 16, 2015

      I had the very same experience..Smh. The LIAT staff has no idea when flight will resume and the LIAT website does not have any flights to/from Dominica. What is really the status?

  13. Hurray!!
    September 16, 2015

    Good going LIAT!

    DNO,
    Any news on when seaborne will officially resume flights from San Juan?

    • Kris A.
      September 16, 2015

      I called Seaborne yesterday. The expected date to resume operations in DA is September 23.

  14. Maggit
    September 16, 2015

    DAT IS A LIE!!!

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