A sizable cash injection of eight million dollars will be pumped into regional carrier LIAT, half of which is expected to be delivered this week.
The funds are coming from the government of Dominica whose prime minister Roosevelt Skeritt made the disclosure at an OECS meeting in St Vincent & the Grenadines last week.
A week ago, the airline recorded 35 million dollars in losses after fire destroyed its maintenance hanger, an aircraft; tools, operations office and several other offices.
My fellow Dominicans the era of LIAT with 19 seat Twin Otters serving Canefield Airport and flying the noisy Rolls Royce Dart turbprop the Hawker HS 748 are over since the 1990’s. LIAT upgraded its fleet to the 37-50 seat Dash 8. I believe very strongly the LIAT era as Dominica’s one and only airline is obsolete as our two current airports Canefield & Melville Hall Airport! We are in the 21 century we need to think like it and act like it. Our solution that will help us get rid of the LIAT plague is yes I said it is an “International Airport” that can handle medium to long range jets. Every day and every year that goes by Dominica makes no progress. Why celebrate night landing like its a big event while the rest of the Caribbean has had it for decades. Our youth are crying for jobs, investment and yes change. Lets make Dominica our homeland “Independent” from Antigua’s LIAT. We are pumping money into a broken system, nothing will change sadly.
I am very happy for my friends in St Vincent on their airport achievements, I am ashamed that the country I love dearly will be the last to develop and build an International Airport to accomodate jet service in the Caribbean because of petty politics and so called enviromentalist who block progress. I really hate reading in every article about Dominica that its the only island Colombus will recognize, its cliche and getting old.
How many more feasibility studies do we need, the answer is zero. Every administration made numerous studies, plans. Just build it and stop playing politics and wasting taxpayer time.
As a Dominican with a Commercial Pilot license and who follows aviation developments back home in the Nature Island of the Caribbean. I am very disappointed in this bailout of LIAT, Dominica Labor Party came into power in 2000 meeting a previous administration UWP purchase of land and plans for a Brand New International Airport. They chose to be cheapskates and not pursue those plans using the excuse of Dominnica has no money for such a project. Folks the only two Caribbean Islands without jet service to USA, Europe, Canada are St Vincent & the Grenadines & Dominica. SVG broke ground on the Brand New Argyle International Airport on August 2008 and have come along way since then. The current ET Joshua Airport in St Vincent is exactly like Melville Hall Airport which cannot not be further expanded in runway length or terminal or ramp area for aircraft. A smart long term thinking government that is progressive realised ET Joshua was obsolete and in the middle of the worst economic recession decided it was going to build an airport for St Vincent to reduce its dependence on LIAT and free its own self from a history of luggage issues, reliability issues once and for all.
St Vincent & the Grenadines Argyle International Airport is 9000 ft in runway length with a terminal built to handle 800 passengers at its busiest hour. The long range jets such as the Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777 will be able to fly safely Non Stop to Europe, Canada, USA. Scheduled for completion in December 2013 and first operations in the first quarter of 2014. After 2014 Dominica will be the ONLY Caribbean Island that WILL NOT have Non Stop jet service to USA, Canada, Europe. Thats unacceptable and embarrassing. Melville Hall Airport Night Landing was a waste as a Commercial Pilot I would rather land in a Brand New International Airport with a runway length of 10,000 ft as proposed by the UWP in their airport plane with Boeing 747, Boeing 777, Airbus 330, Airbus 340, Airbus 380. Wake up Dominicans Melville Hall Airport is obsolete and we will be playing ctach up for the years to come since we are not bold enough to make investments in our infrastructure that are long term. DLP leadership receives a Grade F from me for aviation investments long term planning.
Source SVG International Airport Development Company 2012 Update
Three years into the con-struction of the Argyle Interna-tional Airport, the earthworks component which has so far domi-nated our attention, continues to progress steadily with clear evi-dence that we are moving closer and closer towards the completion of the international airport.
The mountains, McConnie Yam-mie and Fort Hills, which once stood imposingly over the Stubbs Bay, now look like the remains of what used to be a large rock. Not only have they been brought down to size, they have also been split in the centre creating a cavity which is now as flat as the runway.
All of this has been possible with the continued use of explosives to penetrate the hard rock within the first kilometre of the site. With the assistance of bulldozers, excava-tors and other heavy equipment we have also been able to exca-vate most of what is to be re-moved from Johnson Hill.
Construction of the box culverts within the first kilometre of the site is completed and is already in operation collecting water from a small nearby stream, and neighbouring hills and channelling it down to the sea. Additionally, construction has commenced on a second set of culverts that are be-ing constructed in the 2nd kilome-tre of the site.
Engineers on the project are cur-rently considering different areas on the site for the location of a stone crusher, a concrete batching plant and an asphalt plant in preparation for the paving of the runway, aprons and taxiways.
So far, more than two-thirds of the earthworks have been completed. The relocation of the Cubans to new accommodations and the completion of archaeological works, including the removal of the petroglyphs are expected to speed up the remaining earth-works. The installation of the stone crusher and the asphalt plants are also expected to result in the speeding up of work on the airside facilities. The airside fa-cilities include: the runway, taxi-ways, aprons, platforms, etc.
During the year 2012, the Cha-toyer-Che contingent will concen-trate on completing the remaining works in the 1st and 2nd kilometres and commence work, in earnest, in the 3rd kilometre of the project where one of the major challenges there will be to construct a culvert to allow the Yambou river to flow under the runway.
In 2013, it will be full speed ahead, as the International Airport Development Company (IADC) completes all construction works so that the new airport can begin operations in early 2014.
Aerial view of the project
My eyes get tired too much to read. So I will downgrade you.
correct, you are, you people never read, thats why you will never be well informed on any issue..
please start with a jug head comic book..
where is Liat insurance?
but wait ….liat doh have insurance.the share holders rip off the profit and now a millionare taking the poor people money to give a company that makes over a million dollars in a day . i not saying we cant assist in difficult times but dominica is in need money wee.i hope when the insurance pay dominica will get it money back
The people of Dominica would have been better served if this $8M was utilized to create employment for the unemployed and the under-employed. With more Dominicans working, the tax base would increase and so would the revenue being collected from those newly employed individuals.
You all Dominican so selfish you want our govnt to follow in you all selfish, stingy, greedy ways.
but wat d joke i reading dr nuh? 8 million dollarz…. ebeh is dat…. we owing 1 billion dollars in debt yet still we have money to give LIAT 8 mil… ebeh skerro u really run tings. i want to know who approve of this plan yer, bcuz this is unbelievable! Skerrit didnt think about all the young people that leaving DSC and want to go and study to give them scholarships? he didnt think of investing it in the tourism or agricultural sector? what LIAT giving us in return? borbol alone! awa wii pal, skerro you shudda really think of that bcuz you givin d rest of the world another idea about d country! my brother wake up your followers hungry! bes you giv dem dat 8 mil instead
Actually, I am opposed to the government (any administration) giving scholarships to folks to go abroad to study and they never return to Dominica to help build up the country. This is the height of dishonesty. These people should be accountable. Either return home and work or pay back the government. I have no respect for these educated thieves.
I’m wondering how Dominicans would get in and out of Dominica, if one day we wake up to the news that LIAT could not continue to operate?
theres boat because i move back and fort and i dont take liat i have been 2 alot of bad hings with liat
The same way they have been doing it for years, On LIAT. Are you suggesting that LIAT would stop flying if we did not give them 8 miliion? Come on, it’s a nice gesture but we have so more urgent needs at the moment. How many times have you heard that Dominica does not have money for this and for that, and for this spontaneous donation, I am just a bit concern. I love my PM, but I have a more dire cry for our citizen who are in need.
Are we for real? They have been saying for a longtime, Dominica wants to own shares in Liat. Where were you bloggers and naysayers?
I have my differences with the administration but I believe this was a strategical move at an opportune time. No longer can it be said we are demanding routes and flight from L.I.A.T and we are not willing to carry the burden financially. Now when the meeting and decisions are decided and taken we must have a. Representative, a vote and that gives us a say.
Now the real truth of night landing will be revisited and expounded upon, no more meeting behind closed doors and come out after in the media saying the winds are the problem next time
saying we lacking certain instruments etc. Now we have a right to sit at the table and hash it out because our money on the line.
So I support the move, the domestic issues we will deal with at home. Stop letting folks believe we are Arses, use the W.W.W for constructive discussion not some of the BAYTEEZ certain persons are writing. It time some people respect The Nature Isle. I don’t care if is Envocay he Envocay the money, close the Red Clinic and buy the shares.
Tired of hearing least developed, ignorant people, dirty city, Hell!! Is high time DA show up.
Couldn’t have said it better my self. Maybe the bubble head comments before you have his or her own plane to get in and out of the Island. It’s about time we own a piece of the pie. We’re moving on up hurray for D.A.
you seem to be in the know, so tell us what exactly is the nature of this “contribution” to liat. The story hasn’t made that information available to us so please explain how you’ve come to say all that you have in support of skerritt’s action.
Ifsome of us read a little more often, we would remember the PM already brought up the suggestion that Dominica is willing to invest in Liat given the opportunity. This was awhile back. So I don’t. See this as a rush decision or one that was not discussed with others.
With that said, which other airline service Dominica? What alternative do we have? Food for thought.
hmmm i see VAT going up soon to 20%
This is what you call a well thought out, logical, rational and unbiased view of the current circumstance.
antigua gouvernment cannot help red jet but now look who is helping Liat,all of us is one caribbean good job Mr.PM show them you better than them
Red jet was a private company… Liat is a regional company thats is owned by members of the more than one caribbean nation. Why would antigua bailmout red jet
why would they bail out a privately owned company that competes with a regionally owned company. pick sense from nonsense nuh
I believe the reason why LIAT is going through this crisis is due to its greed and it’s financial mismanagement. Is it being implied that LIAT’s insurance is unable to cover its losses?
Another point, how can one leave his house on fire then attend to his neighbor’s house? Dominica has so many socio-economic issues, how can our leader spend $8 million dollars on LIAT? How can one invest in something that is obviously crashing? Let’s not be fooled people, LIAT generates money by the amount of tourists coming to our shores, since we have global recession throughout major countries in the world, how is giving $8 million to LIAT going to alleviate that?
Mark my words, I believe very strongly that this was a waste of money. This $8 million should have been targeted into our health and other crucial areas in Dominica. Since the world is becoming scarce economically we should be diverting that money to circulate in our economy.
It is sad that some people on here are talking about international airport. Yes we need an international airport but fail to realize how many major airlines in the world are filing bankruptcy. All of these companies fly at international airports.
I propose the following ways to manage our economy.
1. Government should remove customs duties and red tape, target our millions of Dominicans not only those who were born here in addition includes those whose parent/s and grandparent/s hold Dominican heritage to invest here so that jobs can be circulated.
2. There are many affluent Dominicans living abroad, there should be encourage to build a co-operate society so that they can invest in Chinese workers to manufacture goods to sell in these Dominican owned businesses. Since it is always cheaper to buy in bulk since Chinese are working for us, when containers are shipped to Dominica the prices of these Dominican goods (of course with quality standards) will be at a cheaper price.
3. With elements above to get our economy moving, money should also be pumped, build clientiele across the Caribbean to purchase our produce based on a strong agro-processing production.
If we want tourism, we need to be innovative. Tourism is a fragile economy so it is senseless to build a country heavily on tourism. Diversification of our agro-processing as well as having healthy banking policies and good infrustructure will naturally generate the tourist industry. Many tourists do their research before coming here thus we need to fix our backyard first. Put the cart before the horse!
In closing, Dominica should purchase its own airlines, AIR DOMINICA OR AIR NATURE ISLE! Stop crying about LIAT, be innovative by God’s help we will survive.
I’m so proud of you. I didn’t see one reference to Islam.
We can afford to give LIAT 8m yet so many students that were promised scholarships are still waiting for their tuition to be paid! Our Hospital looks like one you’d see in a horror film and our Roads are so bad our bus drivers strike. And to our “surprise” even if we are all paying taxes, license fees etc we are asked not to strike but take our hard earned dollars to fix the road our selves! SMH! LIAT doesn’t seem to have insurance to cover their loss!
Wow things are really sweet in Dominica and people telling me otherwise. I need to come back home.
the fire came just in time……praise god for insurance
what? I think the fire presented a perfect opportunity to dissolve LIAT similar to what Trinidad and Tobago did with BWIA – and either make a conglomerate airline with Caribbean Airlines because Caribbean Airlines also has Dash 8’s and has intentions to fly the Eastern Caribbean. This bottomless pit LIAT is must be dissolved.
But the PM brave to – to make such a proclaimation without first bring to parliament and the Dominican people knowing the kind of negative sentiments Dominicans have expressed about LIATS service to the island. And the fact just before a budget the contents of which is not yet known and on the middle of negotiating a new collective agreement with PSU. It takes a confident or a leader that takes his people for granted to do such thing without their involvement.
can you say “tax payers” getting blows? Because as it stands that’s who will pay for it
I would like to ask the naysayers is it fair for the Government of St. Vincent, Antigua and Barbados alone to carry the burden of LIAT. If Liat go under then all the islands will suffer. Even those with International Airport.
This is an excellent investment which gives the Dominican people a significant stake in LIAT. If Skerrit leaves Office tommorrow that investment and stake in LIAT will be there for all.
If LIAT under its current crisis were to cut flights to Dominica by 50% then everyone would blame Skerrit.
Its a situation were you do you are dammed you dont do you are dammed.
I agree…Well said..
I agree to this show of support to Liat at this critical juncture. Liat’s recent loss will eventually be addressed through its insurers. However, if Dominica is able to assist – we must- as it is imperative that we show solidarity in this time of need, notwithstanding all our gripes with the regional Carrier and our narrow partisan political views as an e-ther / i-ther or neither people.
I see this as a practical and strategic move in light of the pending end of the Eagle’s era, the failure of other Carriers such as Red jet and Caribbean airlines, the overall decline in tourist arrivals etc. Liat is the most practical and sensible alternative for now, if we wish to talk of a tourism industry at a time when agriculture is dying or dead. In fact, when one really thinks of it Liat has weathered a lot of storms over the years and it has survived with a very impressive safety record, one of the best in the world.
Contrary to some readers, this is not a gift to Liat. It is a wise investment with the ability to bring us potential returns. No, that $8 million cannot go towards an international airport, which is a long-term, major capital project. This is pragmatism in the absence of proactive, visionary thinking that would have given us the international airport. Through this investment, Liat will get the message that Dominica is onboard. This will give us leverage to demand better services from Liat, including more utilization of the night landing facilities at Melville Hall, however limited that may be.
As Caribbean people, we must support everything regional like UWI, West Indies Cricket, OECS Unity, CARICOM/CSME, Liat and yes- the CCJ. I bemoan our failed federation. Dominicans must take that leap of faith in things indigenous and regional for the pressures of the external environment are too intense for us to be fit to survive the international pressure alone.
My support, however, does not take away from the genuine concerns of many with regard to the legitimate questioning of government’s priorities in terms of its allocation of funds for improved medical facilities and road works. Yes, we need to expand our economy by investing in agriculture, agro-processing/manufacturing. However, ensuring that we have some air access to Dominica is immediate and crucial.
My only concern is the manner in which the PM goes about making these decisions. The news was broken by an Antiguan reporter and it states that the PM of Dominican is committed to delivering on his promises to assist the airline. I note that the commitment is not that of the government and people of Dominica. It is unclear whether the matter has been discussed at a parliamentary level and once again, it seems to be another unilateral decision just like the granting of passport/citizenship to Chanderpaul. Moreover, the PM has already declared that he is prepared to disburse $4M almost immediately-again even before his Cabinet considers, discuss and agree to that. Furthermore, it would have been more politically correct to break this news via a gov’t press conference in Dominica with the Ministers of Tourism and Ports at the side of the PM or even through a government of Dominica press release. Sometimes it is the procedure adopted by the administration that makes what would otherwise be legit questionable.
A pretty decent stance on the matter, ROSEAU VALLEY. Unfortunately, your final paragraph infuses a hint of speculation that simply is inconsistent with the quality of the arguments that precede it.
You state: «My only concern is the manner in which the PM goes about making these decisions.» Then, « It is unclear whether the matter has been discussed at a parliamentary level and once again, it seems to be another unilateral decision just like the granting of passport/citizenship to Chanderpaul.» Come now, ROSEAU VALLEY….. If you acknowledge not knowing how the decision came about, how then can you in the same breath slam the PM for unilateralism? Isn’t this conclusion a bit hasty?
Thank you. Well noted my friend, appreciate your honesty and sense of fairness. Love your spirit. As a friend of the PM, perhaps you could inform us whether or not this decision and others like it routinely get the blessings of parliament. I would hope that it was not taken in the same manner that the decision was taken to move from Taiwan to China?. Just checking!!!.
go to hell is not all you damn business what i do with my 8 million
Wait a minute! Before we go commenting – What proportion of the fire loss is uninsured???
Friends, if we want to jump on the tourism band wagon, we must have a way to air lift them here, period! Lets leave the tourists out of the equation for a while and think about this…how many airlines do we have to service our personal needs for travel out of Dominica?
I understand that there are may other projects vying for an infusion of cash, but just think about how primitive we would be without air transportation in the year 2012 and beyond.
Hopefully, our desire for a new airport will not fall on deaf ears; lets trust that the PM reads DNO. Who knows, maybe something is in the works.
While I appreciate that Dominica is becoming more heavily dependent on tourism, the reality is that very few tourists arrive by air, due to the extra cost and hassle involved in flying to Dominica vs. other islands with direct flights from North America/Europe. The majority of people arriving to Dominica via LIAT are native islanders, so the return on an $8 million investment in LIAT for the sake of tourism is minuscule.
That money would have been much better invested in improving on the ground services for people on the island.
I am not in favor of the Dominica Government shelling out $8 million to LIAT when there is so much social and economic problems plaguing the country. The country is sending the wrong message to donor countries who have contributed financially. The donor countries may stop giving the country financial aid because we are giving it away.If the government is in a position to give away all this money to LIAT then it should be able to give pay raises to all its public workers.
Hey!!!!!! What about all the companies they owe money….. and all the inroads that need to be resurface…. papa mete…. Mr. was trying to impress some woman there!!! Tipical Dominican Man
Skerrit mayshastay. U mean LIAT does not have insurance
zo dominican modies papa met 8 million
what foolishness i hearing dere nuh? Liat insured, even though they had lost 100 million, they covered; what our money have to go there for? so many young people needing scholarships, govt owing so many schools for financial assistance to children, government owing public servants so much money, the vat going up to 17%, liat treating dominicans so las kakarat and the little money chavez give us before he die there, liat have to get in it? dat not fear, anyway election must come and people will know what time it is
Skerrit doh want to give Civil Servants the increase we want he wants to give us what he wants and he can give leave island anytime all that money!
Dominica was the first one to pledge money. Our financial house must be in tip-top-shape.
i only hope that this means Dominicans can now get discounted flights on LIAT.! Given that we’ve shown such generous contributions and pledged our loyal support!
Get it right. This is not a donation. Dominica has become a major share holder in liat. We bought share in the company.
if the citizens of Antigua, Barbados and ST. Vincent not getting discount prices why you think we would? think before you type please. please. pretty please?
Folks should not be Surprise by this..
Nothing is dislosed in a manner of truth to the Citizens, very interesting seeing Dominica is so poor and the citizens complain so much about no jobs cost of living unemployment on the increase etc….there is something hidden away..
thats why Lennox,Angelo and the Opposition forces can preach till they drop..but this corrupt DLP Regime has sufficent funds hidden away to bride constituencies like St.Joe,Pointe Michel, Carib Territory,Castle Bruce,Grand Fond, Mahaut,La Plaine,Roseau Valley Wesly/Woodfordhill Alongside those Certified Red ones already to win enough seats to form Government again..
If Dominica was a island where Institutions and Policy Makers were Brilliant in terms of whats needed to create the economy going etc…the focus level would be different..
But Dominica and Dominicans are Proud of the childish petty governanace of the island..
all they do a few of them is just call the radio programs..what a dazed society…WOW
I so agree with you!! I get annoyed with their phone calls on the radio, because some of them are so ignorant to the facts! My heart aches for the innocent Dominicans, who see the facts, and vote for viable candidates. Unfortunately, they have to suffer! $8 million ‘fregging’ dollars to LIAT!! Skeritt is so out of touch w/ the struggles of Dominicans! This is so upsetting…I hear stories of parents having to cancel their child’s education, because of petty fees and yet this $8 million surfaces to save this airline? ppssh,,straigh up nonsense this guy is doing!
I am a Dominican residing in Dominica and as far as I am aware, Dominica’s education is one of the cheapest, if the child is attending government school. So if you cannot pay a school fee, that means you too fast to send your child to private school.
All the talk people talking about LIAT, calling it Leave Island Any Time or other names, it’s still LIAT we have to travel on. There’s no doubting the fact that LIAT have to buck-up on their time; they really have to. However, it’s only LIAT that really there serving Dominica, and will still be there serving even after American Eagle pull out next year. So people better get used to the LIAT idea. Let’s see how things work out in the future.
American not pulling out pal… negotiations are under way (and almost finalized) for a joint venture by some other top US carriers to have joint operations in the main ports like Dominica.
FACT: Dominica has been the most consistent and profitable port (actually supporting non-profitable ports like St Lucia) in this region for AA, winning quarterly and yearly awards for he last couple of years. Just a shame our reports never pick up on these events.
I support you 100%. Dominicans need to start thinking with their head instead of somewhere else. WE ONLY HAVE LIAT. Let’s just say for one reason Dominica did not show any interest in helping out and Liat decided to cut the dominica route, what would be your cry then? You would turn around and say that skerrit is wicked. My God what do you people want? Everything this government do you guys have a problem with it. Eddison James and Ron Green would have done the same thing if they were in government and was truly interested in the welfare of Dominica and Dominicans. Stop behaving like intelligent fools.
The honourable Edison James and the UWP WOULD HAVE CONSTRUCTED AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LONG TIME AGO.Plans were allready in the pipeline.DONT show off your fowl memory.
Well apparently G’ovt in an insurance company to liat, cause am sure liat have insurance….VAT goin up again…wait and yu will see…next level.
According a Trinidad calypsonian,this fellar bright.There has been no major activities as regards night landing by L.I.A.T at Melville Hall, therefore, the best way to hold L.I.A.T hostage is to give them some cash.You will get more cash only when you start improving more night flights to the multi million dollar white night elephant at Melville Hall.
good point
The infusion of cash into LIAT is critical. The donation is a worthwhile and necessary investment into Dominica’s future. American Eagles will no longer be coming into Dominica next year and so if we don’t have LIAT where does that leave Dominica (Tourism, Industry & Commerce etc)? This is a good investment.
AGRICULTURE!!!
!!!!!!!!!! 
well allu not easy in Dominica..People working so hard for d same little salary for donkey years now..so many people unemployed and Liat getting 8 million just like dat to pay their fancy air hostesses and fancy self…hmmmmm
One thing all you Government can show off eh. I was recntly here in Dominca and fell ill. went to the hospital and the X ray not working no films to print the X ray. Medical facilities are lacking etc etc and you giving Liat 8 million. Stop making Dominicans pass a. MR PM your health care facilities in Dominica are under equiped and yet you can give 8 million. you taking over draft to pay civil servants and yet you can give 8 million well guess what am hearing is true the Country does not have money but YOU have money
You come down to Dominica and all of that happen to you. You got sicj and all and was able to know that Govt taking an overdraft.
Well people “does” get busy on vacation papa
Did you go to Glo Chaud, SCREWS and nice river bath????
you living in New Jersey and you know government taking overdraft to pay civil servants. You have someone at treasury leaking out information to you man. Please donate to the hospital since you all just stay in the US where many of you cannot afford to go to the hospitals because of the cost, and critisize.
Be it a gift, or an investment of eight million into LIAT is the same as flushing it down a toilet!
LIAT should be long dead, it a waste of time to put tax payers money into an Airline which is all but dead! The Hanger was destroyed by fire, LIT should have some insurance coverage that should cover the whatever they lost.
Perhaps the eight million dollars that Dominica is going to give away, and untimely loose it should be set aside to be used in the construction of an International Airport in Dominica, thus eliminating our people’s dependency on something as LIAT!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Ms Dods Telemaque. I tend to differ with you on this one. All the caribbean island should be more supportive of liat. Liat is all we have. We as caribbean people cant sit and depend on american airline , jet blue and the other US airlines to control how we travel. The American government bail out GM and Crysler why cant the caribbean governments bail out liat so they can purchase new aircrafts. We need to be more supportive of liat. Liat been around for a very long time. I agree with the PM on this one.. American eagle will be gone in 2013 who the hell is gonna get us from point A to point B. Look at caribbean airlines the government of T&T is throwing everything behind that airline why cant more of the OECS government do the same for liat. To say that liat should be dead is not a statement that should be coming from some one who is from Dominica.
Where that money was… Papa mete
Both you and Dodds have a point…i think it is flushing our money down the toilet…this company is poorly managed in terms of how they handle finances plus these guys give Dominicans no respect… Indeed we need an international airport and anyone who thinks other wise probably doesn’t travel or is close minded. We would be better known here, would have a better tourist industry and would be less dependent on Liat and them big boys behind it if we had out Intl. Airport.
Although you call yourself Madness; I feel uncomfortable referring to you as Madness. In any event I will agree with you that there was a time when LIAT was the thing; dating back to the colonial days. LIAT is an Airline which got started on the Island of Montserrat, the Kelsick’s of Montserrat started LIAT.
The Antiguan’s got involved, and somehow it became Leeward Island Air Transport, with the Antigua government holding the greater of the shares, that is why you find the major operation, and Hangers are based in Antigua.
By then all of the English speaking islands from Trinidad & Tobago in the South, to St. Kitts in the North owned shares in the company, However, as fast as they went in they one by one dropped out by pulling their investments out because from its inception LIAT lost money, they have reorganized on numerous occasions, only to face the same failing issues over and over!
In the 1970’s in order to save LIAT, the son of a Dominica mother in the person of Jerry Watts, a former Antigua, government minister tried his best to make LIAT a profitable entity, by expanding to a point where they bought three 747’s and hope to fly internationally, they only succeed in gaining landing rights as far North as Jamaica, Dominica was advised by Jerry (Jerald) Watts to invest in an International Airport so that we could benefit from the International flights by the new development.
As usual the powers that be in Dominica in those days was not interested!
Why”
” We doh want no International Airport because Antigua and Barbados have one already.” That is the Dominica mentality.
As St. Kitts, St. Lucia, and Grenada, build their International Airport, LIAT picked up less passengers from those islands, remember they were competing with Barbados, Trinidad, and Guyana all which have internationals: the thing is LIAT serves as an Airline serving Antigua which serves as a Hob, for people traveling from the islands with no International Airport to make connection on international flights in Antigua.
Now that St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Grenada, has international flights originating on those islands LIAT transports less and less passengers to the Antigua Hob, therefore the Airline is making less money, and it will make less when St. Vincent International gets up and running in the near future.
It is a waste of time for us to invest into an airline we know will not survive much longer.
The bottom line is that Barbados, Antigua and St. Vincent are the major share holders in LIAT, it should be their problem to keep it solvent.
It is the responsibility of our government to immediately commence concentrating on building an International to serve our people.
Yes, I know that LIAT is around for more than fifty years, nonetheless the only island it will have an effect on when it dies is Dominica, that however, is not a reason for us to flush money down the toilet to try and save something that has been operating for fifty years or more without making a profit for the share-holders.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
And in the mean time we will ride on your back to come to Dominiaca…..fool
actually LIat was founded by Frank Delisle not the Kelsicks
The Govt. Is serious about Tourism.
Liat now gives us at least 10 daily flights and with convenient connects out of Antigua, Barbados and PR.
Dominica must support LIAT. We can’t have Tourism without an Airline. All other airlines came and left, even American Eagle wil leave next yr, but LIAT has been there for 55 yrs Leaving Islands at Any Time.
Let’s learn to appreciate what’s Ours. NOw Dominica own significant amount of Shares, So we are on our way to OWN LIAT.
lol
where is Liat Insurance?
Papa Mete!!!!!
We supporting the business that liat brings to us… But where in God’s Name Dominica Get that money, Liat was not insured then? People life at serious rist and liat not insure… Papa Mete!!!!
The bible speaks to it. “Give and it shall be give unto you..” This is the only real aircraft servicing Dominica, you don’t think we should support it? God Bless the giver! We shall all receive back from our Govt giving- 100 folds!
Couldn’t that 8 million go towards an international airport for those very planes to land?? How is it that the government has no funds for other ventures in development but can cough up 8 million dollars to rebuild a “privately owned” company ?
This is MOST interesting indeed…
IT WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 700-900 MILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
DO YOU THINK PUTTING 8 MILLION DOLLARS TOWARDS BUILDING AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MAKES SENSE ?
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY “PRIVATELY OWNED COMPANY” ?????
You mind is truly dangerous…..LIAT is owned by the Governments (people) of Barbados, Antigua and St. Vincent. How is it a privately owned company. Wise up yourself.
Dominicans at home do not know the hustle and bustle Dominican faces in Antigua and the amount of money one have to pay LIAT to travel to DA
Man when people say coming to DA is very expensive this is true, when one compare the fee for travelling to the other island with international airport and what Dominicans paying, man we have to pay two flights, we pay more to LIAT
Antigua make it big on us and is still making it, because if we had an international airport more tourist and local would be visiting DA on a regular basis
Dominica do need an international airport, when talking to co-workers and others networking, telling them how beautiful Dominica is , when ask ways to get to DA, man as soon as them people hear that we do not have an international airport, they tell you straight this is too much hustle and bustle for them
The PM need to go out there and negotiate for an international airport for DA
Yes I Skerrit not easy ehh, Things are so good with him and he can only provide 2 million for farm roads in Dominica but (Live Island Any Time)LIAT cant get 8 Million of the bat…Only In Dominica..
What do you guys expect? We must have out island serviced by an airline. We have to get serious bout air access. Don’t you know that St; Lucia and Antigua pay Millions each yr tp keep major International flights coming to there island?
If you don’t see the Need for LIAT in DOMINICA and you compare that to Farm roads… U have a serious issue.
Farm lands are private lands. Farmers are responsible for there own roads. We were spoiled in Dominica.
We don’t even pay our House rates and property Taxes. and the Govt has not been pursuing court action to collect the fees. Maybe you are even wondering what are house rates and Property taxes. Well the majority of Dominicans don’t pay it. but we want everything free..
Investing in LIAT is a good idea. And DOminican Farmers should build there own roads to there private property. Case Closed.
You could not have said it any better. I live in the USA and I sure do want an airline that travels to Dominica when I am ready to visit. If LIAT is the one, so be it, especially since I heard that American Eagle is pulling out of the Caribbean. We do have to support what’s local.
They don’t read so they won’t know. They on fb all day long minding people business how you expect them to know what is happening in the world?
is this an investment?
is he buying shares?
doesn’t look so to me!!!
d case just open wi. i could support the idea that we need to support regional ventures in that we are receiving service from them but you really lost me with that bit about farmers building their own roads. why pay property tax or any tax at all if we have to do these things for ourselves? it seems that you don’t realize the importance of agriculture to the economy which would mean that the government also has to ensure that farmers have the prerequisite conditions to enable production. dats like saying “boy i must pay domlec since i getting service but my children education is for dem so dey will have to pay school for themselves.” awa wi with allyu brainacs.lol
I thought the International Airlines pay landing fees to the Islands for landing there. Do your homework. How do you think they pay their workers?
That is so true.
skerrit boy u hv a money tree somewhere. and people say Dominica dont hv money?
So you mean this is the kind of juvenile leadership we have? When we need to expand our economy, we have instead a kid frittering our scarce resources away? Why isn’t this 8 million dollars invested in expanding the economy through a heavy investment in agriculture and agro-processing? Or is it that we seeking to have a say in LIAT again so we can get some perks?
beacause anon….Dominica main source of revenue now is tourism, if they dont come by cruiseship they come by plane. LIAT is the only airline that actually services Dominica. NO LIAT NO TOURISTS!! NO TOURISTS NO MONEY!! Skerrit tired try to expand the agricultural industry but all u lazy a doh want to dig soil.
YOu forget when your grand parents would tell you come in the garden with them during summer time you would cry and say you not comming. Up to this day you refuse so stop putting your dirty linen outside shame on you
but the Question iw where is liat insurance
probably if u said that there is 8 million for farmers more people would farm??
LIAT is gonna be Dominica’s Air Force One pretty soon, with priority services to a select few…just wait…when the sense of entitlement kicks in,guess who’s going to be getting the short end of the stick. Smh
You do have a dangerous mind mister.
Hmmmmmmmm….where do we get those lump sum of cash that we even giving out? And even giving to liat, liat flight charges are so rediculous especially if yu want to return to Dominica. And yet we giving dem all that money….Next level…We buying friend….one day all that money must finish…see Roseau Road…Any one drove down by DBS recently? My God….
prices high or not i bet u still use LIAT.
Don’t have a choice but to use liat to go certain places!
But…but….but..Dominica have plenty money man.
Interesting, very interesting.
same thing I say wee, I wonder where all that money come? I see they can afford to pay the farmers compensation for their crops the parrot eat.
Let the Farmers get insurance. Govt is not an Insurance Company!
WOW…Government has to pay farmers for their crops Parrot eat..and Anbolaw and snakes and the likes of them eat too.
This has to be a Q95 joke
if the govt is not an insurance company ,then the proposed 2 % salary cut to benefit the uninsured should be nowhere close to the table.i can’t pay insurance at beacon for myself and still pay for other people off my salary.!
what you talking about insurance company? where the farmers getting money to pay for insurance after parrots eat out their crops?
if government can pay liat all that money they can compensate the famrmers for their crops. why did they give the St Joe man $72,000.00 for compensation and they cannot give others. They pay him and tell him to hush but I guess he is a poto labor so that is why