Regional airline LIAT has warned of possible disruptions in its services in the coming days as its operations is being affected by “numerous challenges throughout its network.”
In a release the problem-plague airline said it is being affected by its current fleet modernization drive, high demand during the summer and ‘staff issues’ in Dominica and Barbados.
To make matters worst, one of LIAT’s new ATR was grounded in Barbados because of ‘technical issues.’
“LIAT’s Maintenance Department has advised that the grounded ATR aircraft is likely to remain out of service for the remainder of this week as the matter is being addressed,” the release stated. “The technical issue concerns a higher than normal oil consumption. The safety of our passengers and crew is of paramount importance and as such the Aircraft will only be returned to service after the issue is resolved.”
LIAT said it is trying its best to mitigate the disruptions and “We will also continue to issue timely, informative and up-to-date Passenger Communication Advisories at all stations; through our web site liat.com; LIAT Facebook and the media; and directly to our customers where contact information has been provided.”
The company’s management said it deeply regrets the inconvenience posed by the challenges. “We are doing all we can and we will provide open and honest communication to you while we seek to normalize the situation for our valued customers by providing the care and support that you deserve,” LIAT said.
The airline has been the subject of severe criticism in recent times. On Monday, businessman and owner of Secret Bay Hotel, Gregor Nassief blasted the airline for its poor service and called for an executive shake up.
Chairman of the company, Jean Holder, has promised that the airline will do better.
Dominica needs thinking leadership when comes to LIAT
All these announcements are too little, too late, in my opinion! Why can’t the people living in the islands, or at least Dominica, come together and rally together, instead of complaining? File a class action lawsuit against LIAT for damages, financial loss and the list can go on! I would like to know if there has been one family, in Dominica that has not suffered loss due to the gross negligence of this LIAT company! With all these law students and lawyers in the Caribbean, it’s surprising none has sought to file such a claim, or even a risk assessment or loss analysis by the economists and business students of the region! Instead of the political talk and arguments day and night, focus on priorities and the actions that would bring possible benefits to yourselves!
Presently I think we (Dominica) should have our own airline instead of being a stake holder with LIAT. The planes LIAT has now are not new ones they are reconditioned planes from American Eagles and they should have known before hand about the oil consumption and other issues before purchasing those aircrafts. I’ve always trusted LIAT but right now I’ll continue to take the fiery from Guadeloupe to Dominica…
LIAT should post this heading everyday at all locations including their website because that’s their norm. Thanks for your concern on customers safety. Appreciated. You need also to be concern about customer service. Is it because governments are shareholders that’s why action has not been taken over your horrible service? I understand delays, interruptions and all that. But relating to people is just horrible. Sat in Barbados – sign reads- “Delayed 2:30 PM”. It’s 4:30PM. Sign is not updated and no one says anything. Where in world does this happen? Most of the Caribbean countries are affected regionally as most have international airports but Dominica and St.Vincent are affected internationally with customer missing connecting flights and having to overnight at their own expense. Sad, sad LIAT. I suggest that shareholders sell to a private investor. This airline has been in service for too long with such poor operation. What’s in it for the shareholders? You still have to pump money into this airline. Bad business deal.
How can a company that has been the only one the block for the past 50 years be so inefficient that they are unable to ever make a profit. Price gouge their customers and still treat them like crap. Do you really expect much sympathy from these very same customers?
Atleast get it right after ten years…. but after 50+ years of this BS its official this company has been and is being run by a bunch of imbeciles!
HEADS MUST ROLL!!! (shout)
Well the regional governments spend all their time squeezing out competition because they are heavily invested in LIAT, but now it coming to bite the Caribbean people in the you know what…
At the same moment they promising to do better is the same moment they coming out with an announcement of delays, (which is an improvement on their part by the way).
Flight interruptions, not because of weather or the like, but because a plane drinking too much oil. When these guys were upgrading the fleet, didn’t they envision these things and have backup plans? Magwaysah!!!
That is just unacceptable…
I am in Grenada currently, and I am not hearing any of this big talk about LIAT, There might be an article on page 15 of the newspaper but that is about it. It is well known that the Prime Minister here does not approve of what LIAT is doing with its fares and service. But the main reason why they are not talking about LIAT here is because it does not affect them as much as it affects us. Dominicans maybe one of the few nations where almost every national who has traveled would have made port in another caribbean country. Since regional travel is so expensive people would rather put an extra $100 bucks or so and just go to the states as opposed to going to another caribbean country. Now for us to go to the states we must go through another caribbean country, so we might as well just spend the time in Anitigua or which ever country and call it quits. We travel as much as every other nation if not more, just look at our migration rate.
wait a while….is that really news, that’s what have been happening everyday for years who in the world this can be news. I think the heading of that should read “LIAT SAYS THE USUAL WILL CONTINUE”, we all know what the usual is so it won’t be a problem. but thats ok liat, we know already and we’re use to it, so no bid deal.
How is the tourism industry going to achieve its goal of bringing in 90 thousand tourists into DA with LIATS service the way it is?
Why cannot Liat sub-contract replacement aircraft for this period ????????????????
That’s normal practice in the industry
Liat should keep Dominica out of it’s nonsense talking about staff issues in Dominica….and by the way aren’t these new airplanes? What higher oil consumption are they talking about? Someone needs to investigate…I understand those are the American Eagles planes that use to come toDominica which they bought and painted over??? We need answers Liat …come clean
Why is this news? Service disruption is LIAT’s norm. Maybe the posting should be up daily.
LIAT AGAIN, COME ON ROOSEVELT WORK FOR THE PEOPLE.
Here we go again. Being faced by ‘challenges’ again. This man Holder is totally inapt and useless. Get him out before he ruins the company and with it Dominica’s tourism industry.
What’s new with LIAT, at least this time they let people know in advance. Now you surely know is LEAVE ISLAND ANY TIME!
OH LARD, NOT AGAIN
Liat has never been a reliable airline and I don’t expect that to change. In fact to be honest about it they have gotton worse over the past 5 yrs. We in Dominica in particular have gotton so use to disruptions from LIAT that most passengers don’t even rush to the airport for timely boarding. The only time LIAT landed on time was the night Skerrit them had to cut ribbon for the so-called night landing. The government knew very well that LIAT was unreliable and that’s another reason why I cannot understand their reason for investing $8 million on LIAT. That money as well as the millions dumped on Melville hall, and the state palace would have gone a long way in helping us build jet airport where we would not have to depend entirely on LIAT. In the next few months St. Vincent will show us how to have foresight and insight when they will open their new international airport. Since the PM of St. Vincent was believed to be a friend of our government especially our PM, I am surprised that we did not learn from our friend. In closing, let me remind ALL Dominicans of a very famous quote made right on our shores “Dominica does not need an international airport…” Do you remember which Windward Island Prime Minister gave this advice to us during a DLP rally? Help us Lord because we tend to forget sometimes.
When NO ONE will be able to fly in or out of Dominica that is when they will realize what kind of Airport we need. I guess those that are in will just stay in and those of us that are out will have NO CHOICE but to stay out.
WE NEED AN AIRPORT, INTERNATIONAL OR WHATEVER. STOP INVESTING IN LIAT, GET OUR OWN.
what is “gotton”?
8 million for more CRAP!!Double the money double the CRAP!
OK. That’s what we paid for!
sorry for all those who are traveling at this time lait need to get their act together or else the Caribbean leaders needs to think of another airline or ferry services for the people of the region to move freely with not delays and long waiting.
LIAT CEO NEEDS TO GO!
Mr. Skerrit,
Stand up for your country. Dominica owns part of LIAT. LIAT is hurting business here. What are you going to do about it?
LIAT is hurting our Island, but it is NOT hurting our PM. Think about it, if LIAT was hurting our PM do you think he would invest in it?
The answer to your question is NOTHING, NADA, ZILCH! He is not going to do anything…period! Whatever Ralph Gonzales say is what the PM will do. Matter of fact, don’t be surprised if we make another BIG payment to LIAT for stiffing us once again.
“Change Must Come”
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
Seven news report’s down Mr holder is promising to do better. Now this.
Hello, this is their better.
Whilst it is all well and good to support local but I think we’re at the stage where caribbean heads should seek a meeting with Mr Richard Branson to sort this situation out. Or What about the new airline service that went out of commission before it started? Somebody do something quick.OR our next best step is to extend the Ferry service to all the islands.
What about US that are too far to take the Ferry? We need our own AIRLINE.
This airline is the biggest joke in the world. Mr. Nassief was right, heads need to roll. It’s just excuse after excuse with these people and yet no one is held accountable. Their customer service is about the furthest thing away from hospitable that you can imagine. Change needs to come from the top! This is right when all of the Ross students are heading home, too, not to mention all of the other Dominicans trying to come to and leave the island.
it is shameful de price we pay to use dis service, and we do not even get a decent service, why dont mr richard Branson start an airline as i would be happy to not have to even give liat my hard ern money ever again
This a company in melt down….Liquidations is on the cards.
GOING CHEAP………4 planes, 1 chairman, 1 CEO, 1000 staff, 6 PCs, 4 chairs, 2 tables, 2 company cars, 1 van…………………….
Join the LIAT School of Management, we will show you how (not) to run an airline operation.
Boycott liat, fly seabourn hit them where it hurt in there pocket. stop flying liat.
Seabourne has its problems too plus generally a higher fare except when you get the specials.
seabourne goes to all the other islands? foolishness
The company(LIAT) also needs to retrain its employees in QUALITY customer service…that’s lacking bigtime.
LIAT: LOOK INTO ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION
Here we go again. This cannot be good for the territories. Too much uncertainty. As I said before there can only be progress in Dominica when we do the following which is easier said than done :
1. Extend our airstrip.
2. Build a new hospital with modern facilities.
How many more times do we have to fly to a neighbouring island because of some emergency ?
airport, airline, …………….HOSPITAL. What is the connection.
REDjet….please come back