An incident in which a group of French nationals alleges they were mistreated by authorities in Dominica has been described as unfortunate by honorary French Consul, Herve Nizard.
He told DNO that the matter will not have any impact on the relationship between Dominica and its French neighbor, Guadeloupe.
“It is a simple and unfortunate situation,” he told DNO on Wednesday afternoon, placing the blame for the entire matter instead on regional airline, LIAT.
“The problem comes from people in the travel business that do not take care of their customers,” he said. “They just wanted someone from LIAT to give them some answers.”
According to reports published in the French media, which are said to be based on testimony given by those involved, the French nationals were returning to Guadeloupe from Puerto Rico last Sunday. They reportedly encountered some problems in San Juan where they were delayed for about an hour. They were flown to Antigua and ran into further problems but received no explanation from LIAT.
After a long wait in Antigua they were placed on a LIAT aircraft bound for Dominica in the late evening. Hoping that they would be quickly taken to Gaudeloupe, they were reportedly told they should wait until 10:00 pm before a flight could be clarified for them.
The media reports indicate that tempers soon flared since the group was tired, had not eaten all day and was not receiving any concrete information from LIAT.
They also asked for some food but in response were harassed and mistreated by Dominican authorities, according to the reports.
Around midnight a plane was finally chartered for the group but as they were about to board, six (three adults and three children), were arrested by the police. It is reported that they spent the night in a police station in Dominica.
The next day the children were released and taken to Guadeloupe by a French diplomat.
Nizard confirmed the incident took place but, contrary to the media reports, said members of the group were never mistreated.
“The police officers only did their job, nothing more … they were very well treated, that’s what I have made sure of. If there is a law, it has to be adhered too,” he said.
He said the problem occurred when members of the group left the in-transit lounge and found themselves in the aviation parking area.
Police PRO, Inspector John Carbon, told DNO at least three were charged for breaching security under the Civil Aviation Act.
Nizard said those arrested were given a “nice room in the police station.”
“The police had organized mattresses for them … they were very well taken care of,” he stated.
The incident has been creating headlines in Gaudeloupe and DNO understands some of those involved are threatening to sue the authorities in Dominica.
There are also concerns it might affect the relationship between Dominica and Guadeloupe but Nizard said strong ties exist between the two islands.
“There is no way that it is going to affect the relationship between the two countries,” he said.
DNO is seeking a reaction from LIAT.
they deserve what they got, the police was right
they deserve what they got; the police was right
The so call french are arrogant, I saw them in Peurto rico” air port and they were on there best behavior, while they were being delayed, they have no respect for Dominican authorities, I am glad some of them got detained, they get very aggressive , so they can psycologically break you down even thougth they are a lay citezen , but there big mouth and there incestancey they will try to break you down , I work in the prisons of the U.S.A when you encounter people like that you take charge , you dont let them take charge of the situation, the Dominican authorithies should arrest the whole crew,, I know there would be political back lash so what the hell they the french dont like DOMINICANS anyway .no love lost.
I had a personal bad terrible experience with liat. not all the staff are bd and disrespectful some are rather nice. but generally liat treat people like dirt if I wasn’t good for my self God forbid I could have a dead baby on my hands because of liat. Competition they don’t have. liat you all need to do better than that it is very faustrating when you travelling all fay and just being told flight delayed. liat could at ffer passengers a meal and some comfort cause yes we travelling but you don’t know the frame of mind we might be in or the sorrow or pain . liat do better than that. on the other hand had the French people stayed within liat’s counter and strip naked if they wanted to protesting for their rights I would support them but restricted area that’s another thing sorry frenchies you wrong by the action you took this time
Liat you MUST do better to avoid such incidents, when someone have been traveling cannot reach their destination and hungry trust me anyone would lose it, the french people were victims and i cannot blame them after being bounced around, it’s just an unfortunate situation.
But a Jamaican national had to sleep on cardboard in the sell while non caricom members can get mattress.
Let us face it. While LIAT is to be blamed for this mess and disappointment to passengers, the French nationals should know that there are restricted areas of an airport. They projected their ignorance, disobedience and stubbornness in also defying the airport authorities.
Consider what they stated about D/ca. They are downright crude and rude. People must learn to conduct themselves appropriately at also an airport.
The police were not wrong to arrest them. What would another country do if they disobeyed orders and prohibited areas where passengers are not allowed for their safety? Those people had no sense. What did they think that an airplane would come from nowhere to fly them to Guadeloupe? In this case they were totally wrong.
Pertaining to meals, the airport authorities and/or LIAT should see to it that passengers who are delayed and are between flights that are delayed should have some sort of meal, be it a sandwich and a soft drink or coffee or tea. LIAT is negligent in this case. Smarten up LIAT and consider your passengers, those who are awaiting your late flights’ arrival.
@ Amazon “If the change that we are talking about includes an attitude adjustment then I fully endorse change” Amazon I d’accord with you 100%. Dominicans do not truly understand how rude we are. We need to work on that big time!
A few months ago a grocery store called the police to arrest a lady who was stealing groceries. The police responded quickly, but what happened next surprised everyone.
The Female police officer had a conversation with the theft. The lady was caught with the groceries, but the police listened to her story. Yes what she did was wrong, but the officer listened and acted accordingly.
Guess what, the officer paid the store for the groceries and allowed the lady to get more of what she needed. The poor lady has children and was unemployed for sometime, her unemployment ran out and she couldn’t find work. She cried and the police listened. The Officer kept in touch with the lady and a few days later got her a job. The lady had not previous record. was a law abiding citizen, but stuff happens and people hit a wall.
We in authority must realize laws are made to protect and keep order, but we must look at each situation and handle it as humans. Even if they went out that door, where could they possibly go? could they walk from there to Guadeloupe? they people we just frustrated and they snapped. If only they we allowed to vent moments later they would settle down.
Have you ever gotten into an argument with one that refuse to answer you? after a while you will stop talking and calm down.
This was blown out of proportion.
Thé french citiezins needs to behave there selves France do not want them because of That same behavior and now they just making thé caribbean is lands disown them.no identité selfs centered faustraited people.they always think they higher than other caribbean coun tries.treat haitains like they are not human .they do not respect there Own laws.they curse thier policé.calls them police kaka.
if ANYONE does his in any other country…. byt he time you step your foot into restricted security areas you are treated like a criminal. Try that in Guadeloupe airport….even I Antigua airport and you will be treated like a terrorist. I’m not even talking about the more developed countries where a freaking bag standing there is treated like a bomb and you, like an Al Qaida associate…. There are rules and you idiots just take everything to be a Skerrit-UWP tug of war. The Government CANNOT and SHOULD NOT give a press release on anything which happens in the country….. It they do, the same pple bawling for intervention will be crying DICTATOR and COMMUNIST.
As someon who was on the airport awaiting a flight out od dominica i think its time now i give my comments and maybe clear the air on this matter.. the flight out of dominica was for 655 pm which would go from da to guadeloupe and then to antigua etc atc, however it was delayed. the french folks arrived in da about 815 pm, if the flight to guadeloupe was ontime they would have not made it on the flight, liat have to do better than that. on arrival i heard this loud talking by the french people as they were saying in french that they could not understand english and they also said loudly that they didnt want to be in dirty dominica and continue to say guadeloupe will continue to feed hungry da etc. i go real vex as it was not dominica’s fault that they was brought to dominica but liats nonesense again. however they go calmed down, was brought to restaurant for eating what ever they could get as they had kids and complained that the kids did not eat anything all day.
after they got back inside they continue to ask for information regarding flight to guadeloupe, i must say that liat kept saying the flight was delayed and would give details on flight as it came forward. they further ask for someone from liat to come and speak to them. NO ONE came and this is when they demanded that they should know something as they had kids. they got a break through the doors and went outside on the runway side which is supposed to be a secured place. THAT WAS TOTALLY WRONG. were ask to go back inside but THEY DID NOT COMPLY instead continue cursing and saying in guadeloupe they fight and make noise for what they want and they get it..
authourities on airport asked over and over that they go back inside and they never did, the kids and all were cursing everybody. customs, security, police and all other workers on airport try to assist yet that did not work. after quite a long time they were forced back into the transit area still cursing and happen to come back inside..
IF IT WAS A DOMINICAN DOING THAT AT AIRPORT HE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN BROKEN BONES, IF A DOMINICANS HAD DONE THAT OR TRY TO DO THAT IN GUADELOUPLE MAYBE HE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED. THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND A TOTAL DISRESPECT BY THE FRENCH PEOPLE, THEY NEED TO GIVE AN APPOLOGY EVEN THROUGH THE FRENCH EMBASSY TO THGE PEOPLE AT AIRPORT AND DOMINICA..
They were given a letter by liat saying that the flight would be on the ground at 00:30 and stated the time they would get into guadeloupe, for the first time liat landed and arrived in guadeloupe at the time said by liat officers.
WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT GETS TO THAT STAGE FOR LIAT TO ACT?, IS IS DOMINICA TO BLAME FOR WHAT AN AIRLINE CAUSED?, I BELIEVE THE MAIN THING IS THAT SINCE THE AIRPORT BEING OPEN FOR NIGHT LANDING THERE SEEMS TO BE NO CLOSING TIME SO LIAT DO WHAT THE WANT WITH PASSENGERS… SOMEONE NEED TO GET THINGS RIGHT. WE REALLY NEED TO PUT THINGS IN PLACE SO THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN…
LASTLY I HAVE I MUST SAY WE ALL PASSENGERS AT AIRPORT GOT OUT SAFE BUT PLEASE LIAT, PLEASE PLEASE GET THINGS RIGHT AS PASSENGER ARE REALLY REALLY GETTING FEDUP WITH THE TYPE OF SERVICE GIVEN, I MUST MENTION THAT IT IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE LIAT PEOPLE ON THE GROUND IN DOMINICA SO PLEASE DONT BLAME THEM.
i belive that they must put this problem in oder so that they may not countiu saying they must send dominica people to there country it is someone who call me to give me this news my inside was boiling i feel i could tell that person so many things but she is so lucky that am i christian and i respect myGOD I HEVE MY CON WHENy a lot of things do you all know that guadeloupians do not like any strangers am well place to say that because GODgige me this in my dream may GOD bless them one day they ,they this will comout in light praise GOD for what they do and say thank . and i say amen
I think they should shot dno this is political
My Dominican ppl it’s time that we stop making everything political do you ppl know what happen ?none of you were there but busy to add all you 2cents .the problem began with LIat it’s the same poor customer service skills that we lack in our country that is why this happen.secoondly,LIat has absolutely NO respect for their customers period.
sorry marie but i don’t totally agree with u and lot of others. for years liat has been messing up bcse i believe that they don’t have enough competition and competitors. now we all no that the head quarter is in antigua right, so if antigua wasn’t or isn’t sending info to DA, SXM, SKB, TOLA, and all the other Caribbean islands where they have branches how can the agents give updates, they have to wait on news from the head quarter in order for them to inform those that are traveling
I agree with you, it has nothing to do with politics. Liat is ridiculous and there customer service and professionalism sucks. The did training I worked with major carrier in the US and you would have been fired. If a flight is delayed announcements should be made periodically to advise the passengers. Food vouchers should be given so that the people can eat, especially someone travelling with small children. I would just as frustrated as these people. I travelled from Antigua to Dominica over the carnival season, our flight was schedule to leave at 5:15P and didn’t leave until 7;45P during that time no announcements were made, you had to go the agent to ask what was going on if you wanted answers and then they would lie. When we finally got on the flight, the flight attendant said that the airport was closed down in St Maarten, people who came from St Maarten said that was a big fat lie. Liat needs competition and may then the will buck up. Some of the employees especially the one in Dominica are so inexperienced and have poor judgement I blame the people in charge, if they train their people properly the airline will run a lot smoother. They need to bring in new people who know how to run an airline.
I travelled to Dominica for the first time last November and I must say that I had no complaints. Overall I had a great time. At first, I was very hesitant about visiting there when I realized that there was no international airport and all the reviews that I read about LIAT online were very negative to say the least. My flight from Puerto Rico to Antigua was delayed for about 30 minutes and then they told us we have to stop in Anguilla to pick up passengers. That was the only negative part of my entire trip and in total that only delayed us for about an hour more I think. The Immigration and Custom Officers at Melville Hall Airport were very polite and kind to me. And I must add that I was not in the best of mood because I was travelling since 4am and at midnight I was exhausted and hungry.
This incident is a very sad one. I believe the Airport Officials and Police acted within their rights however it paints a poor image of Dominica on the international scene. And like most Caribbean nations they depend on Tourism to contribute to their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) so the negative publicity does not help especially in this age of technology and social media when information flies like wild fire around the globe by the click of a button. It’s similar to operating a business. It’s easier to appease one irate customer than to win back 100 you have lost.
It appears that LIAT is to be blamed. The D/ca government should communicate with LIAT about this.
Imagine not eating all day. Not even a sandwich? One must be hungry and irate at this point. Passengers should not go without food and water while travelling and worst yet if the flights are delayed. They could faint from want of food. LIAT should do better than that.
‘Here is my take on that matter in another forum!
Spags, LIAT is an airline which should have already exited into oblivion: unless the thirteen passengers (Gaudloupian’s ) were booked to travel to Dominica, there was no point of LIAT Over-flying Guadeloupe which is in its path, taking these people to Dominica where to me they may be treated like animals!
Something stinks; I cannot see any reason for this pile of confusion.
If LIAT still operates( having landing rights) in Guadeloupe and Martinique, someone should advise the passengers who experienced this mess to file a law suit against LIAT in their country, and suit for so much damages that by the time LIAT come to its senses they will be out of business!
The only language entities such as LIAT understands is when you hit them where they will feel the impact, and that is in their pocket book; and since they are already broke, that will throw them out of business.
You know we saw Airlines such as PANAM went under practically due to the amount of law suite customers filed against, and were successful, it is believed that Eastern suffered the same fate! The operators of Leeward Island Air Transport (LIAT) operates with an attitude of invincibility, it is time that people take serious action against that substandard, mediocre crap.
For many years they have taken advantage of Dominicans especially, people should refuse to fly on their crap, thus putting them out of business. I hear the question what will happen to the people of Dominica, and visitors wanting to visit? My answer to that let that become an embarrassment to the Dominica, government, and exposed their stupidity of closing down the International Airport that was about to get off the grown. the one which the UWP secured 80% financing from the government of Trinidad & Tobago.
The contractors were in Dominica, ready and willing to go, the High School in Wesley was part of the project. Quite a few foreign nations including the People’s Republic of China gave money to Dominica to aide in the Development of the international Airport, Taiwan contributed also, at the same time they made the same amount available to St. Vincent, Gonsalves used that money wisely, he invested it into an International Airport; how ever he told Dominica government, not to build an International Airport, all we need is the refurbishing of the delapidated terminal building, install landing lights on the runway, introduce night landing to the world, and Dominica will become the most popular destination on earth.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
We Dominicans are most stupid people on earth!
Well, let me rephrase that; by saying Dominicans in general are among the smartest people on earth, but I have to omit the politicians in the Labor Party, they are the dumbest, the stupidest people to ever walk the face of God green earth; anybody who allows an outsider to dictate to them how to run their country, cannot be classified to anything else except an idiot!
With LIAT out of the way, perhaps the politicians will amend their stupid ways, and invest into an International Airport.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
I guess you worked at the treasury at the time or at the bank where that 80% of the funds for the airport was lodged, you fool, you must be proud of yourself. Tell me this then how is it that the UWP had so much debt, paying public servants 10 days late having to borrow from Ghardakan over and over and I can go on Dodds, stop typing crap on DNO cause you don’t have the facts. What does LIAT lack of customer service has to do with the Labor Party??
you mean we should have pursued the airport project during our austerity years, or should we now during the worst financial crisis in the world? wow! you are brilliant dodds.
You need to shut your blasted mouth, you idiot!
If what I said is not true, why there was an issue evens when Pierre Charles was Prime Minister: Remember the court issue about that, when the issue of paying back the government of Trinidad & Tobago their money came about.
You are so dumb, and stupid.
Edison James is still alive, Timothy, who undermined Edison James is still alive, he was finance minister, go to ask go and ask him, if he does not want to lie, he will confirm everything I said! Talk to Athie Martin, ask him why did he ordered the Contractors to remove the Sixth Form College from the Secondary School in Wesley, and when they ask him why he want them to omit it, his answer was “there is one in Roseau already.”
Shut your darn mouth!
The high school in Wesley, was part of the project; they had to move the School out of the flight path, and build it where it is now located, the Trinidadian’s built it; it was part and parcel of the International Airport arrangement.
I do not talk anything that I nor someone else cannot authenticate, people like you will forever lie on your back as an upside down turtle, and let the masters who keeps you dumbfound in political, and economical slavery whiles they make an idiot out of you as they urinate in your face! Pursue what project during what austerity years you babbling about?
You are a fool!
The Money was there again The government of Trinidad & Tobago lent us 80% the coast, the government of Taiwan loan us US$10,000,000.00 at an interest rate of 4% they also gave us a grant in the equivalent amount, that we did not have to repay, just in case you do not know the meaning of a grant, be informed that is money given for free; and let me tell you I do not take kindly to people who’s intelligence is beneath me, arguing with someone who’s intelligence is less than that of a fool is not on my agenda, when you decide to make an nuisance of your stupid self, respond to someone else comments.
I have no use for you!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Idiotic comment of the year so far.
Will jus shut the hell up u always releasing s……from ur mouth dam it shutttttttt up omg
“the one which the UWP secured 80% financing from the government of Trinidad & Tobago.” Really Francisco? I had some belief in your writing but now you hurting mer with that stupidity. Do some further research on that and you will be enlightened. The money you are talking about doesn’t even add up to the cost of the airport.
LIAT is something else but truth is, we are all aware of LIAT so what is surprising here? I am pleased to read that the experience did not anyway affect the excellent relationships that both Dominica and the French as enjoyed and shared for decades. We should commend the police for acting humanely to the French nationals given what we had recently experienced a few weeks ago with another CARICOM national.
There is some positive in this experience but LIAT should not escape its fair share of the blame as usual for its continual poor customer service or lack thereof. Is UWP really going to get us a national airline as promised? What about the International Airport I want to see UWP manifesto and the plans for the future of Dominica.
Those French citizens were just disappointed of the treatment they received in Dominica because they know some French nationals that hold top positions in Dominica. If they had gotton that treatment elsewhere it would not hurt but it hurts them because it happened in Dominica. DNO why you not posting me? Nothing here will land you in trouble ok.
Boycott Liat. Let them fly empty planes.
AND THEN YOU WOULD TAKE PI PIWI TO TRAVEL. LIAT is the safest carrier in the region.
Bo-bo-boy, whe… when all y…you touch French na nationals au-au-all you touch me too because I IS French too. to he..hell with all you and French nationals do in Dominica is not all you damn business.
We only have a few pieces of the story so it is hard to comment directly on this story.
What I do know is: If people in authority stop trying to thow their weight around to show who is boss and really try to solve problems, all this mess would likely never have happened.
No 1. If LIAT is in the business of helping their customers, they would have gone out of their way to explain to the people, help them get something to eat etc.
No. 2. I don’t know if the people deliberately went to the parking area after being told not to do so. But if they happened to wander into that area, the police could tell them they are in a restricted area and then needed to return to the area where they belonged. This thing seemed to have escalated unnecessarily. At the same time, if the people did not want to follow the police orders, they would then have to be forcibly removed.
If people just try to be reasonable and helpful, all these things would not happen.
All you gto stupid why should they breach security in our country there is no way you could do that in Guadeloupe
i live in guadeloupe and there is no way you can breech security in la prefecture where they we file for our stay, let them go and do it in the uk or the us. “and they even call DA dirty” they are arrogant.
Guess what the Prime Minister and these French nationals have in common? Guys, think twice before you arrest people…I warning all you. Before you all arrest foreigners remember to remember their nationality and power of their flag.
So it’s ok to mistreat the powerless but honour the powerful. And when the powerful deserve to be reprimanded, we should kowtow to them because of their power?
Where did you learn those values.
Of course, DNO never posts my comments.
@Anonymous, I could tell you did not understand my comment so let me explain it to you. What does the PM and these French nationals have in common, was the question I asked. The answer is FRENCH CITIZENSHIP. So just to be sarcastic I was simply telling our local officers to becareful with how they treat French nationals because French always defends French, meaning skerro will always side up with French. I hope you got my point
Yet again, this administration and particularly the PM show how useless and helpless they are in matters that are of huge importance to the entire island. If this incident did not warrant some political intervention, I do not know what does. Than again I am not surprised – they are no politicians. Shame on all of them.
@ dafriend that’s why there are people in place to do this or their jobs which was the Immigration officers the Government don’t have to speak on all issues because I know of a lot of people that who got in trouble in the USA and Obama did not speak on those matters u all need to learn to have respect for the highest office in the land.
I hope Dominicans know that diplomacy means saying something to your face and doing something else behind your back. Never trust diplomats. I believe there will be silent repercussions.
@ Melville Hall River, I am sure, a 100 percent. Sure, that if the Government had made the same statement that the French Consulate made , you and all the other UWP supporters would have said it was a LIE!! So we got it from the French Consulate and you accepted it. That is what matters. The Immigration Officers acted within the law!! Do we have to take disrespect, do we have to condo e the, breaking our law, because ” we want to have a relationship”?? The French Immigration would maybe have even given us some batons in the jail.
Stop with your petty political utterances and look beyond the shores of Dominicans and begin to understand the negative implications.
Eventhough they got there via LIAT, they were in the Commonwealth of Dominica where they claimed to be ill treated. It is in the best interest of the state to comment in its Official Capacity through its Government Officials.
We got Bad Publicity from the SOSHI OLYMPIC GAMES and the government said nothing.
We are getting BAD Publicity from this incident and the government is going to remain mute?
This is where our Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy should be demonstrated with professional and national confidence.
You are just a politician. Give Dominica a break, and show some love for country. Enough with the negativity. The French Consulate said it all. These people we treated with the respect and dignity they deserved.
agreed. most people will not agree with you, but you are speaking truth. we as a country is not taking advance of he publicity. bad news can be good news for Dominica. we need to get our side of the story in those foreign news articles…
where is our side of the story? Staying MUTE is not a good move. And we are missing out on Opportunity for Free positive media time….
SHAME>
So what you a saying everyone in D’ica that have a difference of opinion from you and the Govt is a supporter of the UWP how stupid a you people have the right to voice their concerns and it haven got anything to do with any political party get that thru your head ..
CHANGE is comming …
The reaction of some of my people is truly amazing!! I don’t care what the issue was with their flight with LIAT, etc. do you think those French Nationals, whether they were Canadians, or Americans could have a disrespectful manner to immigration officials, recreate a disruptive attitude in any USA port of call or airport!??? Are you guys crazy! They would have been arrested with children and all. Why is it that we have to take crap from people especially foreigners because it is Dominica, or because those UWP supporters just think that because it is the Labour Government and The PM is Skerritt then it is O.K. come on.
Do you know the kind of harassment, victimization that our people – Dominicans face in the Puerto Rico Immigration and also the French Immigration?! Come On People. I think our immigration and even our custom officers are the most laid back and friendly that you will meet anywhere.
It is unfortiunate that there were children involved, but in the USA and the French countries, the children would have been taken by the Human Services, away from their parents. I would have preferred that my children would spend the time in jail with me than to be put up with strangers whom I don’t know.
Let’s have some pride and stop pulling down our Island and its people.
“let us have some pride and in our island”. i agree with you let them do it in the us or uk. these guadeloupeens theink they are superior than us because we make them believe that they are.
Why do you people blaime Dominicans, the Gov etc it is Liat that is responsible for these issues I can write a book about the mishaps the only time they speak up is to say act of God to avoid paying people’s fares when flights are cancelled, is this not typical of the Caribbean.
I truly believe that if Europeans were affected it would be a seperate affair. I am afraid that we do we have any other means of travelling so we have to grin and bare it.
We need to look at Antigua and Barbados the main funders for Liat they do not care because they have international airports, sod poor Dominica because we are relying on them.
Time and time again we suffer at their hands. Imagine leaving home at 04.30 UK time travelling for 8 or 9 hours and then get to Antigua and Barbados and have to hang around for 6 to 8 hours it beggars belief ,all I can say is that it is painful. So brothers and sisters the time has come for our international airport.
in terms of these french people they are bold face liars Dominicans would never treat them like that maybe they would treat their own worst we tend to idolise foreighners.
The long and the short is we are truly treated badly and nothing is said.
A friend was arrested in Antigua with his wife and 2 year old they were all held in a cell over night the man and his wife was beaten in front of their child where was any body to help them. Travel backwards and forwards from these two islands on a daily basis and watch see the treatment you get as for Guadeloupe they not nice to Dominicans either every thing negative is a Dominican that do it so stop diving into Dominicans. have a good day.
LIAT is not responsible for these issues, I can tell you how many Airlines have the issues by far till the army have to step in Airpors to stop passenger mobs. The issue is that these people were out of bounds even though LIAT fed them and informed them. We could not have done that in Guadeloupe.
so Liat fly over gwada and put them people dominica to get a flight to charter a flight to put them back gwada….
so why didnt the plane just land gwada in the first place….
i am sure its cheaper to do that than charter a plane….
Liat not easy…
My people are amazing.. SMH
You have a situation where the relationship between Dominica and the French has been compromised, yet the Dominican government officials in the country where the incident took place have not commented and we have failed to call on the Government to bring clarity. Instead we are on “An eye for an eye” lane..
Are we serious about dealing with the situation as a country or we will continue to remain silent as our image continues to be further destroyed?
Dominica is situated between the FRENCH
Dominicans live and work in the FRENCH
Dominicans do business with the FRENCH
Dominica Tourism depends on the FRENCH
Dominica Creole Festival depends on the FRENCH
Dominica wants to sell Geothermal energy to the FRENCH
It is almost 5 days since the incident and nothing coming from the Government….. SMH
They don’t care. That is the official stance of DA. We don’t care about much of anything………except ourselves.
You are the one stating that the situation compromises the French and Dominica’s relationship. That is not true. The French Consulate has cleared the air as to the treatment of the people and the French continued relationship with DA.
we dont need the french, the french need us. They are a minority in the region. They should respect our laws.
so they had to arrest dem plp for dat dey couldnt just explain to dem n let dem plp check their sin datis if it have signs in other language for plp to follow at d airport dominicans in authourity jus give dem a chance
There are restricted areas in every airport for security reasons. Do you think u would be treated better than this if u had done the same thing in Guidelines.
This people have no respect for our laws and rules and when they are handled accordingly they cry foul.
Any Dominicas go try this is Guidelines and see how the Jandarm will deal with u all and u all will have a different tune to this news.
Sorry, word changes by android phone, Guadeloupe, not guidelines
An immigration officer open the door to the departure lounge to access the ramp. It was then the passengers just ran through and ended up on the airside of the terminal. Immigration pleaded with them to get off the airside and back into the departure lounge. They refused until Marigot police was called and came to the scene. Liat is not responsible to mention the laws of dominica. If u have an issue with liat there’s a proper way to handle it..u don’t breach security then cry fowl..if the tables were turned do. Think a Dominican wud get away with what they did in Guadeloupe.
Exactly. Tell them again.
I witnessed similar treatment of travellers by LIAT on 13.12.13. I was travelling to St Lucia and was delayed in Antigua for hours. I had mentally prepared myself for some mess up or other so was not too fussed. There were some other passengers going to Barbados however. It wasn’t until after they got on the plane that they realised the plane would not be continuing on to Barbados. fair enough, it was late and it would have been against regulations, the crew were tired etc etc. But the simple thing that they always seem to overlook is to at least keep people informed. And they are not in the slightest bit empathetic, so when people complain they just treat them with contempt. We expect mishaps from time to time but it would be a lot less painful if they could be dealt with professionally- have arrangements in place and keep people informed. Got to St Lucia hrs late and last saw the passengers for Barbados trying to extract information from the officials at St Lucia who had not been kept in the loop so they had to bear the brunt of disgruntled customers suddenly thrust upon them, irate and asking how they’d be getting home.
LIAT LIAT LIAT LIAT!!!! LIIIIAAAATTTT!!!!!!!!
damn damn damn damn DAMN!!!!
that gud for all u one set that getting matress
I hope it really does not affect our relationship with the French. LIAT should get their full share of blame as once again they failed to deliver. As far as the authorities in Dominica is concerned, I agree they have a job to do and did their job, However, like in any job, while we all have our rules to adhere to I believe we need to use good judgment and understand the frustration of people before we react. In that case the local authorities should understand that the French nationals had a bad day thanks to LIAT and as long they did not attack anyone, did not smoke weed or crack, and there was not a plane coming or leaving at the time of the incident, maybe they should just warn them. But then again I was not there and do not know the circumstances our authorities witnessed. Very sad situation though and as a passenger that’s been stuck on LIAT several times, I do understand how those French nationals felt.
I have noida how these things work but doesn’t LIAT pass over Guadeloupe en route from Antigua to Dominica?
AS a DOMINICAN living in GUADELOUPE MR HERVE NIZARD should get in touch with the media houses over hee in GUADELOUPE in order to clarify the air on this misunderstanding.DOMINICA was Under fire after what was diffused;AS a DOMINICAN living in GUADELOUPE and working with the local media houses it was very frustrating for me.
tommy lee now the French ppl smh…guess we haven’t learnt from our mistakes
What are these complaining about? We as nationals of the Commonwelath of Dominica have received equal and even worse treatment! Me being one of the recipients of such treatment!
i’m living in guadeloupe and the treatments we recieve here is worst than what is being discussed here. these people are too arrogant and think the better than us because they are in europe, we are are the COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA and they have to respect us as such.
The entire frigging country need sensitivity training and a drastic improvement in customer relationship. This is a serious problem in Dominica- our people are rude and very arrogant. We see this arrogance across the board from immigration to customs, police, ministerial offices, restaurants, supermarkets, bus drivers, taxi drivers,hotes – man it is a plague throughout the country. What s sad and discomforting is that the arrogance comes from the top – politicians, top brass in police department, government ministers, priest, pastors etc.
If the change that we are talking about includes an attitude adjustment then I fully endorse change
Word typo, attacked, not attached
“French nationals returning to Guadeloupe from Puerto Rico” “encountered some problems in San Juan” “delayed for about an hour” “flown to Antigua” “ran into further problems” “received “no explanation” from LIAT.” LIAT DO NOT GIVE EXPLANATIONS and there are NO CONSEQUENCES for LIAT’s ACTIONS. SHAMEFUL.
“After a long wait in “Antigua” placed on a “LIAT” aircraft bound for Dominica in the “late” evening, hoping that they would be quickly taken to Guadeloupe, “waited until 10:00 pm” before a flight could be clarified for them.” THIS IS A FORM OF ABUSE.
According to the media reports, “tempers soon flared since the group was “tired”, had “not eaten” all day and was not receiving any concrete information from “LIAT”
asked for some “food” but in response were “harassed and mistreated” by Dominican authorities.” CONTINUOUS ABUSE.
“Around “midnight” a plane was finally chartered for the group but as they were about to board, six, three adults and three children were “arrested” and spent the night in a police station in Dominica.” YOU CHARTER A PLANE and in-turn ARREST THESE PEOPLE, WHICH INCLUDED “CHILDREN” and you say they were NOT MISTREATED. What do you call this occurrence?
“The next day the “children” were released and taken to Guadeloupe by a “French diplomat.”” WHY WERE THE ADULTS (their parents I assume) NOT RELEASED with them?
Mr. Nizard, the group was MISTREATED, by LIAT and those who should have understood their FRUSTRATION. Unless MISTREATMENT has a different meaning to you.
Of course “The police officers only did their “job” EXCEPT IN THIS CASE did NOT make the effort to ASSIST rather ARREST these people.
Mr. Nizard, you said it, “If there is a law” it should be exercised. However, this “law” was erroneously exercised. These people were NOT “well treated”. Mr. Nizard, how did you make “sure” they were?
Maybe members of the group should not leave the in-transit lounge and wander into the aviation parking area, but the answer was NOT AN ARREST. CHILDREN? COME ON.
LIAT WILL CONTINUE DOING WHAT THEY DO BECAUSE LIAT HAS MADE EFFORTS IMPOSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO GET FLIGHTS ON OTHER AIRLINES. LIAT SHOULD SUFFER THE SAME CONSEQUENCES AS THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LEFT WITH NO CHOICES.
I think these people should file a lawsuit against LIAT and EVERYONE ELSE involved.
So they were arrested just like that?>
What did they do?
Only 2 persons were arrested.. The others in the group chose to stay back because the 2 were arrested.
Wait a minute, did i read that they were given a nice room in the police station and mattresses were provided for them.
I am not against treating people with dignity but since they broke the law and had to be arrested just as Tommy Lee, why the double standard with their treatment as
compared to that of Tommy .Compared to how our citizens are mistreated in in Guadeloupe when they are arrested and when they are attached and beaten in their homes before, why the double standard in the treatment of the different citizens for we are all humans created by the same creator.
@ Anonymous could it be they read all the comments that was posted about Tommy Lee and his treatment so hence the reason they gave them mattress, now had they not given them the mattress u all would bash some of these nationals think its ok to go into places in certain countries because they think that place is beneath them and we all know no matter what happens at PR or any where in the States we cant go into restricted areas to complain we will be held on suspicion of terrorist acts, with all that said if that’s what they did then that would be wrong, I know Dominicans tend to give other nationals more leniency than locals.
Well perhaps the change was implemented after the backlash and criticism they received from the Tommy Lee fiasco.
It is the same thing over and over with LIAT. I just had a similar experience with LIAT last Friday, March 7th. My flight which was supposed to leave at 10:10 AM was
delayed, and when I checked in, nothing was said to me. While I was on line to go through security, I heard a LIAT employee passing through the security area, saying something about the plane is leaving Antigua at
11AM, and will leave Dominica after 12. I did not know exactly what he was saying, so I asked him to repeat what he said, and he waved me off and told me he will be back. I thought to myself, if he is talking about my flight, I better go back out and find out, so I can try to change my connecting flights with American Airlines. I asked the security officer at the desk to go back out, which he allowed me, and I went to the LIAT counter to inquire. The same guy who checked me in told me he don’t know, the flight will be delayed, but he don’t know how long, and he could not answer my questions.
I then went on to call AA and was able to change my connecting flights to later, so I would not be stuck in Puerto Rico, and have to overnight and book a hotel room at my own expense, as happened to me seven years ago, due to LIAT’s poor service. I was lucky to be able to change my flights. In my case I had to go back out to try to rearrange my travel plans. There was not even top up available to be bought at the airport, I had to drive to Marigot to top up phone, to take care of my business.
LIAT does not realize what one delay by their airline creates for the customer. Once a customer is delayed, they will miss their connecting flights, they may have to overnight somewhere, booking hotel room at cost to the customer, they may miss work due to LIAT’s delay(in my case I had to report to work at 7Am next day), they may face disciplinary action for not reporting to work(this would have been me, because it was a weekend shift I would miss), they have to rearrange with whoever is picking them up from the airport.
When I had made my changes I ask to speak to the LIAT supervisor, who told me that he was in the departure lounge talking to LIAT customers and where was I? I told him that I could not do anything to help myself in the departure lounge, and LIAT did not make an announcement about the change of my flight time, and when I went to the desk to ask, the LIAT staff could not even provide me with any concrete information. I also told him that if the young man who I had heard making that comment about the flight leaving after twelve had repeated what he was saying and advised me, I would have had the information I was seeking. He did apologize, but he still kept saying that he was in the lounge talking to customers, so I asked him what was he going to do for me if I was in the lounge when he was talking. LIAT does not call connecting airlines to rearrange travel, so the customer has to do for themselves. Why would I spend extra time in the lounge, being delayed, when I could spend that time with my friends and family outside.
Now if LIAT had learnt anything from that experience of mine and other LIAT travelers, and had taken my advice to PROVIDE INFORMATION TO CUSTOMERS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE, that situation with the French Nationals may have been avoided. This is very unfortunate, looks bad for Dominica, although it is LIAT that is at fault. This happened in Dominica, and the police did their job. As Mr. Nizard said ” The problem comes from people in the travel business that do not take care of their customers. They just wanted someone to give them some answers.” LIAT needs to be responsible and accountable to their customers, and i have been saying that for years and years. It is falling on deaf ears, but we continue to inject money, to the tune of $8 million dollars, to allow LIAT to treat our nationals and visitors like this. According to the government, Tourism is everybody’s business, and LIAT is a big part of our tourism industry, be it your talking about Dominican nationals, students, business people, visitors, etc. It will only get worse if we don’t address this and put some guidelines in place. I challenge the government of Dominica, the tourism minister, the Discover Dominica Authority, the Dominica Tourism Authority, The Regional Integration Diaspora Unit to come together and address this continued poor customer service from LIAT. LIAT needs to be more responsible and accountable to its paying customers. Things do happen, and will continue to happen, but the issue is HOW it is handled and the quality of service to the customers.
Thanks Jenny for illustrating your problem. Many many people have and will continue to have these issues with Liat. So its not that Liat does not get it. Liat does not have the capacity and interest to get it. Liat needs to be flushed from the top down and a more consumer friendly policy, and training implemented. Now as far as regulating passengers are concerned, although the police clearly had the authority, discretion can always be exercised depending on the circumstances. Too often big stick approach is used and teh humanitarian service aspect is tossed out of the window. Clearly the passengers had no bad intentions, but just one of desperation and pent up frustration. We (including Liat) can all do better than that!
When police or Sheriff in America or other countries arrest our Dominicans without discretion but abuse of authority, we are eager to continue to post it on the internet to bring more shame on those arrested =, whether falsely accused and not make excuses for our Dominican brothers and sisters.
LIAT is one mess, melee and a mass of confusion. Poor passengers in this day and age. LIAT cannot live up to a good airline to passenger reputation. This is why some of us do not travel too frequently to Dominica and via Antigua. Travelling, after paying an exorbitant sum of money for passenger flight and service, it should be free of such frustrations.
Well done DNO! Glad to see you continue to be a trail blazer in the area of investigative journalism, following leads and being a responsible force in journalism. If there were Dominica media awards no doubt you would be a top contender for your leadership and detailed reporting.
…And DNO should moderate the writings sooner than two days so that users could read the views of others while the information is still “hot” and “interesting.”
LIAT LIAT.
Had i been in their situation myself, i would have been even angrier, however they must understand that certain area of an airport are sterile and therefore cannot be allowed to be contaminated even by the emotional traveler.
The airport has it’s rules and regulations which must be adhered to.
i agree with your point.
arrested?what for?they were leaving,what were they arrested for?even the children?
How dare you guys treat my French citizens like that EH? Don’t let us put a ban on all of you. You know all of you like de Euro. MOST DOMINICANS LIVING IN DA DONT KNOW NOTHING ABOUT CUSTERMER SERVICE.
Illiterates ! Most of them just cant comprehend, ONE PAGE SETS OF PEOPLE !
if these so called victims had done what they did in the uk or us security would have treated them worst. Guadeloupeens are suffering from superiority complex. I am french and living in guadeloupe.
Liat and ANTIGUA AGAIN MY DA PEOPLE BOYCOTT,SKERRIT NEVER GET THIS KIND OF TREATMENT ON LIAT.ANTIGUA STINKS.DONT KNOW WHY WE HAVE TO TRAVEL TO ANTIGUA TO GET TO DOMINICA.
I really do not understand this. WHY LIAT?????????
The problem began in Puerto Rico. The people were disruptive. I understand their travel their frustrations but this could have happened anwhere. What problems did they encounter in PR to cause their delay?????? Did they expect LIAT to have an aircraft just sitting at the airport waiting for them? Come on that is not how things happen. See LIAT tries to asist by making alternate arrangements for them and the blame goes on LIAT. Focus on the real problem and LEAVE LIAT ALONE.
“Those arrested were given a nice room and mattresses “.Quite strange.People are arrested only when they do some thing against the law…If they have not done any thing against the law ,why should they be arrested?This is simply fishy to me….The future will tell…Liat should be take to count for dumping I rather say their customers in such a nasty manner after they have pocketed their money.As a matter of fact why did they get of the plane when they should normally get off in guadeloupe?Some thing went wrong some where and there must be an explanation to all this mis-understanding…
Are you daft? They were charged for breaching security under the Civil Aviation Act. SMH! They leaved the in-transit room and was in the parking lot. Psssh…..read nuh!
glad to hear the other side of the story well i can say they lamast dominica on radio i as a dominican leaving in Guadeloupe was ashame of all what was said on a well known radio station we got good liks from the Guadeloupe people on that radio
Liat again! But Change Is A Must.
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
LIAT AGAIN LIAT AGAIN LIAT LIAT AGAIN LIAT LIAT LIAT LIAT LIAT LIAT ????? LIAT LIAT LIAT LIAT: LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL IAT !!!!!
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
———OLD FASION STYLE MANAGMENT————–
:::TO BIG TO exspensiv overhead.
http://www.rci.fm/Les-passagers-de-la-LIAT-sont-tous.html
They said on RFO Monday evening that the 3 adults charged each 850 dollars and are saying our country is one of mafias. There are two side to the story.
HERE WE GO AGAIN, This whole island needs training on how to treat with people from other nations. What threat could people travelling with little children pose to the airport? Dominica needs these people in order to survive period. if they can treat french nationals like this, what do they do to HAITIANS, DOMINICANOS, and the like?
find out the the bigining of the sthe before you start speaking like novice
Stop being an idiot. I was in a liat plane that broke down in Guadeloupe and French authourities wouldn’t allow us to even come in the terminal.we had to stay on the hot plane for 2 hours till another liat plane came to pick us up…
Like most island when a flight lands passengers will come on the steps and watch around. U can’t do that in Guadeloupe.. So if there laws are to be followed why shouldn’t ours? If they wanted to behave like vagabonds then they should stay in Guadeloupe..the passengers were never meant to fly directly to Guadeloupe from Puerto Rico.. The had to transit in dominica for a connecting flight…that’s the way the schedule is..ppl on here like to blog on what they have the slightest clue about..a liat agent did speak to the ppl with the assistance of someone translating as the agent spoke no creole..what created the uproar is someone from Guadeloupe told the ppl on a phone call that Guadeloupe was closed…
So all that negative speculation was nothing more than a politically motivated ploy aimed at discrediting the government!
More media madness and political embellishment!
If you break the law you may have to face the consequences it doesn’t who you are or where you come from
What law??? Dominica have Law ?? Every where in DA is rampant with corruption, Dominica have law? Chupes !
because we are THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA. i agree with your point
So LIAT has turned out to be an equal opportunity mistreater for locals and foreigners alike? Sad, shame!
I just heard a local traveler complain loudly at the airport, similarily looking for answers with no one at the counter with the ability/authority or knowledge to help. Hugh salaries that are not worth their weight in air or ground then?
Where is the Dominica side of the story, since it is giving Dominica a ton of bad press in both neighboring islands…
Thank God for the other side of the story, at least we can have some defense against those whp want to acuse Dminicans as bad people.
The french people have toe tendency to be very hard on their police, but don’t realise its not the same thing with the Police in Dominica. You can’t disrespect a policeman in Dominica.
Crazy, crazy, crazy charge for what. This story doesn’t make sense. Charge for unintentionally finding myself in a restricted area of a local Airport . Give me a break Dominica. You all just making it harder for frequent flyers
LIAT again?
Yes they were given a nice room and matreses but tommy lee was forced to sleep on the cold concrete floor like a pig in a nasty pig pen.
Why couldn’t they sleep on the concrete floor like tommy lee?
I don’t want to sound negative as a Dominican,but as a frequent traveller who have used LIAT on all my voyages LIAT can get you very.very,very angry with the way they operate and treat customers.i have personally had some very bad experiences with this airline,and this is a very unfortunate situation.from my experience I would assume that the French nationals got seriously frustrated with the poor and unprofessional way in which LIAT operates.LIAT as it is well known by Caribbean nationals(LEAVE ISLAND ANYTIME L.I.A.T}continues to operate unprofessionally and it is high time something be done about this nonsense,i do sympathise with this French family and would hope that this would not affect us Dominicans at all because of LIATS continued disrespect towards the people who patronise their business.
Yes sa da smh
Lack of communication is a major issue in a lot of organisations. Employers must ensure that their staff are regularly trained on how to deliver communication promptly and effectively to their customers and such issue would not have occurred.
There are many Civil Servants including Law Enforcement behave badly to give Dominica a Bad Name so the Government will Bad. These people should be weeded out of the Service.SCUM!!!