LIAT under fire

Passengers boarding a LIAT aircraft
Passengers boarding a LIAT aircraft

At least two regional leaders have openly blasted the poor service of regional airline LIAT and made calls to have the matter rectified with urgency.

Chairman of the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchel and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris expressed their disgust with the service of the airline at the 62nd OECS Authority meeting now taking place in Dominica.

Harris said had to charter a plane to get to Dominica for the meeting and Mitchel described getting to the island as doing a “serious mathematical formula.”

“We have to get either LIAT right or transportation arrangements right,” Harris said.

He explained he was delayed in parliament in his country on Tuesday (yesterday) and it was impossible to get to Dominica from St. Kitts after 2:00 pm using LIAT.

“To get here, I had to charter a plane to take our delegation to Dominica,” he stated. “Something better must be demanded of LIAT … and some do believe that unless you are a shareholder, you shouldn’t talk about it.”

He said he was speaking not as a shareholder but as a “simple customer of LIAT demanding better quality service.”

Chairman of the OECS, Dr. Keith Mitchel, was a bit more philosophical on the matter saying the region cannot talk about freedom of movement and serious integration, “if we cannot get from one country to the next.”

“I seriously get headache when they tell me I have to come to Dominica from Grenada,” he remarked.

He described coming to the island as doing a “serious mathematical formula.”

“You have to do all sorts of things to take your mind away from all the troubles and the headaches to get to Dominica,” he stated. “When I can take a plane at 9 o’clock in Grenada and land in Miami at 12 o’clock, no headache. Colleagues we cannot do that to our generations.”

Mitchel stated that issues that face the region must be solved.

“Whatever the issues are we must solve it, we have to solve it. If you have to reduce the taxes, so be it, because in the end we will get more,” he stated. “If more people travel we will get less tax on one, but the multiplicity of activity would in fact increase!”

He added, “There are some issues that must be done and discussed and come to terms with, with less emotions and less feelings of individual countries interest. The Union and the impact on the region, we should be thinking more in that direction. Too many times we make decisions at our regional heads meetings and we go back into our jurisdiction and we let the political wall determine what is best for the entire family.”

He said if the region continues to operate that way it will not satisfy the needs of the people.

“Sometimes we forget that all generations will judge us as leaders when they look at the period of time that we served and they saw the issues that we allow to pass by. They are going to condemn us instead of giving us praises that are necessary. I say this in the context of LIAT and transportation,” Mitchel said.

Dominica is a shareholder of LIAT.

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89 Comments

  1. Andy George
    November 20, 2015

    At last, some one with a voice can appreciate what we long suffering Dominicans have had to put up with for so many years. The only reason I travel with LIAT is because this is the only way I can get to see my family. Any business with such a don’t care attitude towards its customers like LIAT would have gone out business a long time ago. I have travelled to a few places around the world on different airlines and LIAT lack of customer skills is really quick shocking.

  2. Tj
    November 20, 2015

    Notice that it is PM Mitchel and Harris that are talking about liar poor service to DA and not PM Skeritt. Do you wander why we get the service we get. Maybe Win Air should see the opprtunities. I recently had to jump through hoops to get a flight to DA and spent two days to get a flight out. HELP ! !

  3. The Real Facts
    November 19, 2015

    Hear ye, you thumbs downers who do not appreciate the good that is stated on this Website and for your very own benefit. You are also travelers and complain about LIAT. Therefore, do not be hypocrites.
    No excuse for LIAT. Let LIAT defend itself. It does not spare anyone and with decreased cost and unsatisfactory service. I have no empathy for LIAT. When I travel with LIAT I also have to experience its late flights and no show ones.
    As far as I am concerned, the less people travel, the less hassle. If they do not have to and it is not an emergency, the better for them, Your money remains in your pocket which you could apply to something of importance.
    Hopefully, someday Dominica will have an international airport.

  4. November 19, 2015

    Another one of Skerrits mistakes, 8 million down the drain :-D

    • Preacher
      November 20, 2015

      Manicou shut up
      Stop blame PM
      Can you say something that make sense

  5. Michael Bascombe
    November 19, 2015

    Please make a correction. It’s MITCHELL and not MITCHEL

  6. looking
    November 19, 2015

    The precedence has been set. Dominican’s should never ever complain or protest in history again. Not under this present administration nor others to follow. Dominica is sweet and nice with the most loving people. let the taxes be increased it will be good because we are to make sacrifices to our country. D country nice boy!

  7. concern citizen
    November 19, 2015

    All the heads of government across the caribbean needs to come together and restructure Liat. The government of Dominica and am sure other government of the caribbean islands has invested in Liat should discussed these issues with them on a very very serious note and they should implement these concerns. It’s time Liat deliver proper service to the islands.

  8. cameron
    November 19, 2015

    Thank you Mitchel and Harris,but its so sad the…. we have as a prime minister does not see that,this is just another slap in the citizens of Dominica by an incompetent leader.I will swim from island to island but i can never fly this airline.just the sick fact of the ripoff in Antigua hell no.

  9. Ma Moses
    November 19, 2015

    And Mr. Skerrit’s govt. says a160 room Kempinski hotel will be ready by 2018. How are they going to get these people in & out of Dominica? By LIAT? that hotel is a fata morgana, just a ploy to get people to pay their money for a citizenship. No wonder mr. Skerrit tells them there is no need for them to visit Dominica. It may change their mind if they did.

    • November 19, 2015

      I have a suggestion to all this humming bird :lol: :lol:

  10. November 19, 2015

    The Dominica economy is dead and I do understand why there is no interest in Dominica. LIAT is running a business and Dominica does not provide enough business to warrant several flights.
    I remember the days when the country was doing well there were multiple flights in and out of Dominica.

  11. jungle
    November 19, 2015

    Here’s a suggestion for a nice 30-seater turbo-prop that obviously LIAT could really use: the EMB-120 Brasilia. They are used all over the world. This would give LIAT flexibility that it so clearly needs. Where did Dominica’s $8million go to? Get some flexibility into LIAT!

  12. jungle
    November 19, 2015

    Yes it’s normally a logistical challenge to fly to Dominica from pretty much anywhere except maybe Antigua and usually (not all the time) from Barbados. From anywhere else it’s a puzzle. LIAT should have 2 plane sizes – the ATR 55-seaters and smaller 25-30 seaters with more flights to DOM.

    • November 20, 2015

      What is the logistical challenge of getting in to Dominica? Before ERICA I would get into Dominica the same day coming through PR, SM or Antigua. International airport or not we will continue to require regional airlines like LIAT for interisland travel. With an international airport do you think CA will fly between Dominica and Barbados , absolutely not, as this would be too costly or air France take people from Martinique to Dominica?

  13. too late
    November 19, 2015

    anyone who blames LIAT for acces problem is being naive. The problem is that there is no economic activity in dominica thats is all that is all that is all.

  14. Too Hard Too Long
    November 19, 2015

    I will continue to maintain that our main focus should be on sea transport. We have an international airport in the north (Guadeloupe) and an international airport in the south (Martinique). A good ferry service agreement, complete with a shuttle service from airport to ferry, will serve us well. It is only an hour and a half by boat to get here. I spend much, much longer than that waiting in transit and over-nighting. And we won’t have to spend millions every year maintaining an international airport. Why can’t this work?

  15. Positive Airline ANALYSIS
    November 19, 2015

    Any Airline which operate in this region will go through delays due to the following reasons:
    Flying over salt water with Airports close to the SEA deteriorates Aircraft Engines therefore LIAT has to desalt

    Caribbean Airline Crew love too much money

    Governments involvement on this Airline demands too much thus the Airline is torn in all directions
    so leave it to the people who knows best.

    Government\’s taxes on regional travel are too high, St Kitts alone charges XCD100.00 on taxes whether transit even Barbados so tickets are high

    Fuel costs are ridiculous
    The STAFF are underpaid while trying to keep a pleasant face at the counters
    It\’s not an Airline wish to have delays and cancellations but safety is paramount in Air Travel and if the reader don\’t understand this then know for sure that LIAT has the highest standards on safety regionally and internationally. Delays are for your safety. Remember the Air France flight which disappeared years ago because the…

  16. too late
    November 19, 2015

    Dr Mitchel if you were a bus driver would you travel to a village in grenada where there is very little economic activity and as a result suffer losses because people do not travel back and forth to that village? Sir it is hard to get to Dominica because there is no economy , just handouts, 18 ministers jobs for friends scandals, and a few rich men who fly away to make babies and seek medical attention

  17. Fed up
    November 19, 2015

    Dr Mitchell

    Your experience is trivial compared to what Dominicans have to endure.

    A friend was due to return to England on 6th November, after spending a few months in Dominica; after numerous attempts to confirm his return flight via telephone, he was compelled to hire a taxi to drive him to Melville Hall ( I can’t recall the new name!) to confirm his return flight. Did I forget to mention that one can no longer confirm return flights in Roseau. Despite his best efforts, the earliest return which Liat could offer him was almost two weeks after his preferred date.

    Unfortunately, unlike Mr Mitchell, he dd not have the resources to hire a private plane!

    It is a disgrace that these two-faced allies of the PM were lauding his non-achievements, when they could have encouraged him to build an international airport.

    What the hell are those fat cows doing in Dominica? They meet, drink fine wine, eat scrumptious food and pat ther backs on conning the populace.

  18. real deal
    November 19, 2015

    Call election now

  19. committed
    November 19, 2015

    All of this happened because Dominica is not a country. Time and time again Liat has demonstrated it’s blatant disregard towards Dominica, because Dominica is being runned by a bunch of nincompoops.

  20. Still
    November 19, 2015

    Could someone tell me how an international airport solve the problem of intra regional travel to and from Dominica. International travel maybe but within the region it won’t make a difference. We would still be dependant on liat.

  21. Malpardee
    November 18, 2015

    Liat cutting style.. Is time i get my own airplane..

  22. Eye of Reason
    November 18, 2015

    Have these both gentlemen ever heard of the statement – if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem? What have both of them done to improve LIAT’s finance woes? What happens when your child misbehaves do you spank and not admonish? What do you do? They have used this to publicly try to do what? Don’t they have better ways of getting the issues sorted? As leaders, they should have sat at a round table conference with the heads of government and voice their opinions there and and devise ways in which to improve LIAT. every entity has issues. Have they looked at the issues which plague the carrier on a daily basis? have they? I remember our parents saying ‘when your neighbour’s beard catch fire wet yours’. Some Dominicans are quick to say ban LIAT butt with the requirements for air travel, LIAT has sacrificed its aircrafts in Dominica’s terrain to transport us all. I’m not saying that’s reason to not improve but jeez man. If you want to say something do…

  23. 4-cars
    November 18, 2015

    LIAT is all we’ve got. So don’t rock de boat. I mean de plane.

  24. Crab and Manicou Hunter
    November 18, 2015

    Anyway, I done with LIAT long time. It’s much easier for me to travel on a fishing boat with plenty engine power to go back door and sell my crab. Those boats does have other cargo on board. If a big wave catch me, crapo smoke my pipe. :-P :-P :-P :-P :-P :-P :-P :-P :-P :-P :-P

    • 4-cars
      November 19, 2015

      If it’s “back Door” you are going; then crapo smoke your pipe already, padnah. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

  25. mystic man
    November 18, 2015

    LIAT needs putting up FORSALE…and that’s the bottom line!

  26. silversliver
    November 18, 2015

    LIAT and the other countries in the reigon needs to explain, why twenty to thirty years ago, one could travel from Europe and the USA to Dominica on the same day, but not at present?? We had less technology, less efficient planes and ticket booking, and no night landing. So what has changed, and why??

  27. Puzzled
    November 18, 2015

    Do all these comments realise that the passenger numbers to the island are mostly insufficient to half fill a 55seater aircraft?
    Also 50% of the fare is Goverment Tax.Also a separate DEPARTURE tax?
    Liat has to run the most efficient routes if we need more flights at uneconomic rates someone has to pay LIAT.
    OUR PM has no problems paying for charter flights at election time.

    • Kris A
      November 19, 2015

      Precisely! While meeting customers needs must be considered however the profitability of the routes is critical to LIAT’s survival.

    • Positive Airline ANALYSIS
      November 19, 2015

      Thank GOD Dominica still have people with commonsense.

  28. The Real Facts
    November 18, 2015

    These days the norm is to decrease service, employees and increase consumers/ passengers costs.
    LIAT knows that most passengers have no other choice to get to D/ca by air. If it is possible, passengers should stage a boycott for a few days. Loss of business may make LIAT brace itself up by its planes showing up on schedule and increased flights.
    Since LIAT’s poor service has affected these two government officials, they should lodge a complaint with LIAT. This enterprise should be sued.
    Imagine having to attend a meeting and also traveling for hours to catch a LIAT flight and are told the plane is late and/or there are no planes. When will LIAT improve its service?
    It will not only be the future generations LIAT will have to answer to but to God Himself for what they put passengers through as their cost of flights escalate. Getting rich exceeds passenger satisfaction. I reiterate, this is the norm today and sadly so.

    • Da massive
      November 18, 2015

      They will have to first start by suing the Dominican government,because they are the ones responsible for the reduced flights I to Dominica. They promised Liat that they wud get the airport up and back to what it was but up till now no work is being done on the damaged ramp area nor the 2 other taxi ways,,,Liat afternoon flights from Antigua cannot get here before sunset and we don’t have any sightings to accommodate night flights…the port authority and the prime minister is well aware that Liat will only be operating 2 schedule flights into Dominica until all repairs have been done and the airstrip is lit. The CEO made that clear to them when he visited after Erica. Its time these 2 gentlemen put their money where their mouth is. They were ask to invest which wud give them the influence to make the changes they spoke off.. they preferred to stay on the sidelines.

    • cameron
      November 19, 2015

      YOUR SO WRONG winair IS THE WAY,AND HAS NOT DISSAPOINTED.

    • concern citizen
      November 19, 2015

      and to add to this point; thre customer service in Antigua is even more diminsihing as though they are doing travellers a favour. all this needs to be addressed. Customer service staff across the caribbean has to realised that they are there to provide a service. I would recommend that those staff needs to be trained properly about customer service in general.

    • 4-cars
      November 19, 2015

      @ The real acts. So then, buy all you own plane, nuh! My great grand parents never saw a plane; far less to travel on one. All you living in Luxury flying and sailing – Yet complaining. Pray that things get better and have a little patience. American Eagle will never come back. Oh, those flights were sweet from Cainfield to Marigot. :lol:

  29. November 18, 2015

    Have you ever heard of the saying: “put your money where your mouth is”? If you’re not willing to put some much needed money into our sole regional air carrier, then you can’t complain about sub-par service. I’m sorry!

    • Truth Be Told
      November 19, 2015

      I am sorry too for Dominica! These men will go back where they came from and they will not have to worry about LIAT or coming to Dominica for a while, but we in Dominica will continue to have this problem while our government continue to talk, talk, talk about hotels and tourism! How do you think the stay-over tourist is supposed to get to Dominica? You will send your private jet to pick them up?

    • looking
      November 19, 2015

      Didn’t we invest millions into Liat?

    • November 19, 2015

      You are as ignorant as Laborites come in Dominica. I am talking about Laborites who every 5 years put on a red shirt to shout labor slogans yet their economic situation get worse. Skerrit can throw $32 million at LIAT but if Dominica does not generate passengers LIAT can’t be in business running empty aircrafts in and out of Dominica. BUT lies and propaganda I s the MO of Labor of love and also ignorance

  30. Stinking Poopoo pant
    November 18, 2015

    Dominicans, especially the media, should not allow Dr. Kieth Mitchell to go back to Grenada without questioning him about his joint press conference with Skerrit in September, where he declared that Nov, 7 would be declared as Dominica day, where over 5000 nationals would be in attendance.

    As of today we have heard nothing about the so called Dominica day. My question is, were Dominicans once again fooled by another regional minister, remembering the how Ralph Gonzalves of St. Vincent, also came here and told us we did not need international airport and ran to build one in STV.

    As far as I am concerned, that Dominica day thing was to divert the attention of Dominicans from the then Lap seng arrest, which had Skerrit very uncomfortable, so his friend knows Dominicans are so foolish, so just came with that Nov. 7th thing.

    There fire on LIAT today was another trick to cover up the inapt policies of Skerrit, that they know is affecting us so they trying to blame it on LIAT.

  31. negremaron
    November 18, 2015

    Agreed!!

  32. jim
    November 18, 2015

    notice its only dominica they have a problem getting to
    so if it hard for people just there to get to dominica how
    they expect tourist to get here

    • Da massive
      November 18, 2015

      The all have international airport while our prime minister chooses to keep us in the 18 century..Ralph bluff them then went and build his…

  33. Passing cloud
    November 18, 2015

    I never thought I would live to see regional prime Ministers come right is our face to criticize the very poor air access to Dominica. To make things worse, is the PM’s of Grenada and St. Kitts that using LIAT to slap us right on our face? That hurts!

    I remember a few years ago when our cricketers had to fly to Grenada, St. Vincent and St. Kitts, It was a nightmare! Such is not the case today as they have all built international airports over the last 15 years, to solve their problems, while under Skerrit, one has to sacrifice a whole day to get to Dominica? How shameful! How embarrassing! How belittling! But yet, Skerrit is the wisest Prime minister Dominica and the Caribbean Peter Augustine told us.

    But we also need Dr. Keith Mitchel of Grenada to tell us about this “we’re declaring November 7th as a special day of artistic performances on behalf of the people of Dominica,” he said with Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit by his side.” Today is the 18th, What’s up sir?

  34. Slim
    November 18, 2015

    So what are you going to do about it ? And another thing – around 50% of Liat’s air fare is local government tx. Lift that and everyone benefits in the long run because it’s cheaper to get here and around the islands, demand increases etc etc etc etc … Lucky for the Caribbean PMs who can get their country to pay for their charter flights. Including ours.

  35. Passing cloud
    November 18, 2015

    “We have to get either LIAT right or transportation arrangements right,” Harris said.

    Mr. Harrris you all know very well the problem is not so much with LIAT as much as it is with Roosevelt Skerrit, who, for selfish political reasons refused to continue to work on the construction of an international airport, for which lands were already purchased, and chose instead to dump how many millions of dollars on night landing for LIAT.

    So yes, I realized you were technical in saying to get LIAT right (which is impossible) or transportation right but we all know the later is the problem but like LIAT, it too cannot get right because we have a very lousy and inept government.

  36. James Lynch
    November 18, 2015

    Most of the hotels who experienced hard times two years ago due to LIAT’s “meltdown” have already switched their focus to moving incoming guests to and from St. Maarten and arriving departing Dominica via WinAir/Air Antilles for the specific purpose of avoiding LIAT. Locals have no choice.

    The LIAT shareholders apparently DO NOT CARE. Comrade (now “Randy”) Ralph made it clear that losing money was the way the EC was going to do LIAT’s business, and that the airline would continue to be propped up by the shareholders. Of course, SVG is a small minority shareholder, so he personally also does not care about the Barbados taxpayer holding 50% shares and having to come up with most of the rest.

    By hiring a retired British Airways do-nothing with no Caribbean experience and no qualifications to run a fast-moving commuter, “Randy” Ralphie has also ensured that there will be as few changes as possible – which means “get used to it, this is how LIAT will operate in the…

    • James Lynch
      November 18, 2015

      By hiring a retired British Airways do-nothing with no Caribbean experience and no qualifications to run a fast-moving commuter, “Randy” Ralphie has also ensured that there will be as few changes as possible – which means “get used to it, this is how LIAT will operate in the foreseeable future”.

  37. November 18, 2015

    The more heads take over, the more things stays the same. Who feels it knows Lord”. Nothing will be done and we will hear the same complaining at the next head of Government meetings.

  38. November 18, 2015

    My eyes got blurry while reading the first few lines from this article. I couldn’t continue. Anyway, I think ALL of YOU have to SUCK the SALT that LIAT is FEEDING. Mr. Harris and Mr. Mitchel, if YOU wasn’t SHAREHOLDERS YOU wouldn’t be COMPLAINING; therefore, PUT UP or SHUT UP.

    If you all think you’re seriously getting headaches when they tell you that you have to go to Dominica, IMAGINE having to go to Dominica from AMERICA, CANADA, and EUROPE, and have to connect with LIAT.

    A “serious mathematical formula.” Didn’t you contribute to that formula to keep LIAT COMPETITION FREE?

  39. November 18, 2015

    this is a reality check, the only one who does not get it is the jester in the pack of cards.

  40. November 18, 2015

    You two guys should just stop talking, what is your contribution to LIAT as a member of the region, just talk. We talk about regional integration but in most cases it’s just blowing bubbles.

  41. silversliver
    November 18, 2015

    Ooh, what a well deserved slap in the face of the government of Dominica. They walk around puffing their chest, tryin to fool the locals with their lies and smoke screens. Their incompetence is obvious to anyone who has to travel to Dominica. This government ought to hang its head in shame!

  42. The Calabash
    November 18, 2015

    Wow….how timely!
    I was just trying to book Trinidad to Martinique to Dominica to Barbados. What an absolute nightmare….a
    Things have gotten much worse and I have made multiple stops every year, for the last decade.

    What the heck is going on?
    Through all the past complaints I actually loved LIAT. Loved the stops and appreciated the level of luggage that Caribbean people carried with them yet blamed LIAT for.
    But now they can’t seem to get schedules right and even the computer system is unable to figure things out.
    It’s embarrassing……..I want to run LIAT!!

  43. Peter Potter
    November 18, 2015

    That is what ordinary travellers from the UK are faced with since Erika. Liat never reintroduced the afternoon flight from Antigua to Dominica thus forcing all travellers from London to Dominica to spend a night in Antigua. Liats explanation: no night landing in Dominica since the lights etc. was destroyed. But this is a lame excuse because if Liat leaves Antigua at 4.30 pm they will easily reach Dominica and take off again in day light.

    • Positive Airline ANALYSIS
      November 19, 2015

      By Airline standards, that is not a legal connection and no international carrier into Antigua will connect for less than two hours. After you come out of customs in Antigua and Barbados the LIAT flight have already departed.

    • Ma Moses
      November 19, 2015

      And no flight from Barbados to connect with UK flights either. You can not even fly direct again from Dominica to Barbados, or St. Lucia. The only places you can fly direct from Melville Hall is Antigua, Guadeloupe three times a week at a price that puts tears in your eyes and St. Maarten by Winair (not every day either)Dominica more isolated now than 10 years ago. Maybe mr. Skerrit likes it so?

  44. Mal Bowoe
    November 18, 2015

    If i had a big money i would just buy liat just to shut it down. Pure waste of time airline.

  45. unknown
    November 18, 2015

    It just shameful to see that only now liat is an issue to all consumers. ..liat manager make it look like flights can’t be return regular as before storm erika…and imagine tickets are sky high. …why one must spend so much on ticket and still spend a lot on food and revenue when they can travel somewhere else for both pleasure and business and enjoy…liat need to come better with their prices or people won’t travel with them ..

  46. CONSCIOUS
    November 18, 2015

    If caribbean leaders were interest in eachthey would have spoken a long time ago. He freedom party killed the idea of an international airport. All thecaribbean leaders knows how dominicans suffer to see their relatives. When I decide to visit which I have been committed to. I have to catch my plane about 8:30 am but leave my home at 5 am . Which is a direct flight to antigua and an exprnsive flight because the cheaper brings me around the world I always land in Dominica the last flight og the day. LIAT system has not changed although Dominica Prime Minister travels frequently does’t he return eith any new ideas. WHEN THE PLIGHT OF PEOPLE ARE NOT HEARD HEY LOOSE REASONING.

  47. FED UP
    November 18, 2015

    Try getting to Dominica from Toronto. By the time a flight arrives in Barbados, Trinidad, or Antigua – no Liat flights to Dominica. I have to overnight and give my dollars to another country before spending in my own. Why would anyone want to come to Dominica? I can go anywhere in the world for less and with a direct flight. It is so freaking frustrating! !!!!!!!

  48. Governance
    November 18, 2015

    Most of those politician speak nonsense. I know of two airlines that attempted to fly LIAT’s routes and failed. The Caribbean just does not have the population to support more airlines. We do not have 30 million as one writer stated, only 5.5 million. I have suffered tremendously from LIAT’s poor management. However, LIAT’s operation costs are high. If you drive a car in a traffic jam, the cost of driving increases. You use more fuel, more brakes and your engine does not function efficiently. Drive long distances without stopping and you car’s efficiency increases. Hence vehicle makers always give you miles per gallon on the highway and miles per gallon in town. this is the same scenario as LIAT which has to do so many short flights compared to a jet which does 3 to 8 hours without stopping. Having a larger airport would bring us international airlines.

    Finally, if the Brother had to take a flight to Miami, he would have left his cabinet meeting and be on time for his flight.

    • Shaka Zulu
      November 18, 2015

      5.5 million. It depends on which countries you counting. I am referring to the entire Caribbean. Jamaica alone has over 2 million people. I count the greater Antilles all the way to Guyana as the Caribbean. We keep seeing ourselves as individuals.

  49. there is another way
    November 18, 2015

    from Europe or london i will fly to a french island then make my way to Dominica no way liat getting my money

    • Malatete
      November 19, 2015

      That is an excellent alternative. You will have to overnight in Martinique on the return but you would have to do that anyway if you fly via Antigua or Barbados to connect with LIAT. I’d rather overnight in Martinique to take a leisurely ferry to Dominica the next day, that puts me straight into the centre of Roseau at a far lower cost than any LIAT flight would. Air France and AirCaraibe have three flights a day to Paris both from Fort de France and Point a Pitre. Forget about LIAT. From Paris Orly there are four flights a day to London City airport and if you book direct with them, in advance you can pay as little as 51 Euros, one way (snack and a drink included).

  50. derp
    November 18, 2015

    so it’s save to say Liat is playing a part in bringing Dominica’s development to a standstill, due to it’s blatant disregard of movement of people to and from Dominica?!

    • Da massive
      November 18, 2015

      What’s hindering Dominicas development is that petty politics from an inept prime minister

    • Me
      November 20, 2015

      It is very simple Derp. LIAT is not a political party and believe me, if Dominica could give them profitable business they would give it more attention. We have to develop our economy first before that can happen. Don’t expect an airline to do that for us. According to some we have the wisest P.M. in the Caribbean, who is also our Finance Minister. He has been a dismal failure with regard to the island’s finances but very successful with regard to his own. Don’t blame LIAT, they have a business to run.

  51. Mwen
    November 18, 2015

    Is Dr. Keith Mitchel complaining of the service that LIAT is providing or is he complaining to the OECS of scheduling meeting in Dominica… He does not get headache using LIAT… He gets headache traveling from Grenada to Dominica…
    The man is basically complaining about our poor air access…
    Nou fini bat en Domnique sa la

  52. Darky
    November 18, 2015

    BRAVO sorry my prime minister mitchel

  53. Shaka Zulu
    November 18, 2015

    It is amazing an airline is struggling and surviving on government subsidies in a region that has over 30 million people. Liat problems just reflect what is wrong with the Caribbean. Not enough traffic within islands to be profitable. Increase wages. Medical and inter island tourism would help. We are our own enemy. Too much to say on here. Caribbean problems are deep. Check unemployment.

    • The Real Facts
      November 18, 2015

      This problem is with LIAT. Have you forgotten air fare increases? Since it continues to increase, as the years go by there will be fewer passenger travel. Due to the high cost of traveling and other high costs, including unsatisfactory service, more people are staying home, wherever they reside. I do not blame them.
      Do not forget that LIAT recently opened a new building which cost some millions of dollars. One would think that LIAT would do its utmost to ensure prompt service and increase passenger travel which amounts to additional business and revenue.

      • Me
        November 19, 2015

        Real facts, what do you know about LIAT, not living here but being cocooned in your ivory tower in Toronto? Sometimes it is better to be quiet.

  54. Just Asking
    November 18, 2015

    After Dr. Michell’s lamentation, can you still justify your claim that we don’t need an international airport?
    If Dr. Mitchell is getting a headache when he is told he has to go to Dominica; just imagine the migraines visitors are getting….Similiarly, we have 3 boats visiting today but one has to dock out at sea, while the other is docked on our cargo port, where tourists are urshered into the country from under an unkempt shed….but the leaders we say that is running the country so well and deserved five more years are wasting money on lazy people through their Red Clinic….playing vote catching with any available funds…but don’t see the need spend some of the money they are tbrowing away to improve our sea and air ports…but at the same time they are pearching tourism.

    • Boat mover
      November 19, 2015

      Imagine that and there is a dock in portsmouth wow!!!!!

  55. Kord Kapi
    November 18, 2015

    “I seriously get headache when they tell me I have to come to Dominica from Grenada,” he remarked.

    He described coming to the island as doing a “serious mathematical formula.” These statements say alot. 1. Only a limited number of airlines mostly LIAT lands on the island compared to the other islands so options are limited to get the D/a in a timely manner 2. The island dire need of a larger airport, where more carriers can service….yet we sit in Dominica satisfied with the status quo..saying we are too mountainous, our population is too small, petty excuses as to why the country doesn’t need an international airport. If Dr. Mitchell, a Caribbean man, is getting a headache everytime he is told that he has to go to Dominica; further more, for the tourists we are trying to attract….sit on your begger behinds shouting Skerrit….labour power….five more years, while our country remains last karat

    • The Real Facts
      November 18, 2015

      Understand that through the years LIAT is fully aware of the criticisms and yet has done nothing about it. Go to LIAT to complain; not the PM. OK! You should do so in no uncertain terms but always respectfully, the latter I always endorse.

      • Sam
        November 18, 2015

        So the PM dumped millions of Dominica’s money into liat and you saying don’t complain to PM. Hmmm????

  56. Zandoli
    November 18, 2015

    It looks like they are only taking notice when they are personally affected. My understanding is, there are only 2 LIAT flights land in Dominica per day – one in the morning from Antigua and the other in the afternoon from Barbados. Correct me if I am wrong.

    A friend recently flew from Toronto to Dominica via Barbados. The flight left Toronto at about 9 am. She did not get to Dominica until late the following day. Who wants to go through that hassle to go to Dominica. Unless there is some extremely important reason for me to travel to Dominica, there is no way I will set foot there under those circumstances. I refuse to put myself through that kind of trouble.

    • Dan Tanner
      November 18, 2015

      The 1-day delay cuts down on tourism.

    • my5senses
      November 18, 2015

      Alas!

    • The Real Facts
      November 18, 2015

      These late flights or no show ones have been going on for years. Once, when I traveled from Toronto to B/dos from 9:00am, if not earlier, LIAT stated there were no planes to take us to D/ca. At that time I was bold enough (would do it again today if I have to), asked for the Manger and informed him to get a plane to take us to Dominica.
      I do not want to brag but he did just that. After waiting a few hours, he announced a plane will soon be arriving and will take us to Guadeloupe. From there we will get a plane to take us to Dominica.
      When we arrived there, a small plane was waiting for us on the tarmac. The pilot instructed us to go immediately to the plane. We went from one plane to another. It was a smaller plane. We arrived in Dominica early evening but our luggage did not arrive until the following day. A few more arrived the day after.
      LIAT is a hopeless case. In 2015, LIAT still continues to operate at a snail’s pace, being late and no show. Shame!

  57. AA
    November 18, 2015

    Can you imagine that these leaders are complaining about the poor service to Dominica and to date we have not herd anything from the minister of tourism or the PM on this matter. How do you all expect people to come to the island when LIAT has two flights into Dominica daily. Can you imagine when you come from SJU to Dominica you have to fly to Barbados and then come back down to get to Dominica if you want to do it the same day? And i haven’t heard not one business leader in the country talk about that, is it that they are not suffering? It is pathetic the kind of leaders that we have in this country all they do is kiss a.
    Mr. PM you justified our money into liat by saying that you needed a sit at the table, now that you have the sit at the table what are you doing? how can you all expect people to make same day connections into the country if your only flight into Dominica is in the morning from ANU whilst flights come in at midday. GET OFF YOU ALL LAZY A AND SOLVE THE ISSUES

  58. TRUEMAN
    November 18, 2015

    ************************ ” THAT GOOD FOR YOU ALL” *************************

    “Chairman of the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Dr. Keith Mitchel and St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris expressed their disgust with the service of the airline at the 62th OECS Authority meeting now taking place in Dominica”.

    ……………………………………………………..

    That’s good for the both of you and any other leaders who are in position to do something about it but do NOTHING!!

    I’m very GLAD that you all have experienced what ordinary people have been experiencing for decades!!

    The suffering and frustration from LIAT!!

    Don’t come here CRYING & pretending that this is news to you all. Like it was the first you have ever known about it.

    So until you all can actually do something about it ………..

    We the Caribbean people say to you all………………………
    Take your punishment like all of us. Too bad for…

    • Truth Be Told
      November 18, 2015

      Too bad for Dominica, sad – really sad how you all allowed Dominica to remain left behind!

  59. November 18, 2015

    Ban them that is the only advise that i can give,move to any other island by boat then take a plane to anither country..they have no respect for your hard earned money and think that you don’t have the choice but you do.this has been quite a while this is going on ,if they still take a piss it is because they know that the people using liat and not that wealthy to take them to court after they piss about,,,

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