Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit has made clear his intention to request an urgent meeting of the shareholders of regional airline LIAT and has demanded an immediate investigation into the cancellation of a morning flight into Dominica on April 8, 2016.
The cancellation reportedly affected over 40 passengers in Dominica.
In a strongly worded letter to LIAT’s then-CEO, David Evans on April 8, and copied to major shareholders of the airline -the governments of Antigua, Barbuda and St Vincent and the Grenadines – Skerrit said he was utter disgusted at the shabby manner in which Dominica was being treated by the airline saying it “clearly appears to be an awful, negative attitude towards Dominica by senior personnel at LIAT..”
“I am warning, now, that this must stop,” he wrote.
Evans resigned soon afterwards and it is unclear whether the letter played a part in his resignation.
Skerrit said he was angry at the way the only morning flight into Dominica was cancelled on the day in question.
“My information is that LI 581 was cancelled this morning, due to a shortage of crew, not to operate this flight, but the absence of crew to operate another flight, namely the 771, destined for St Lucia and into Barbados,” he said. “What would possess someone to remove the First Officer from the Dominica flight and re-route them to another, causing the cancellation of the lone flight into Dominica all morning, is beyond my imagination. To complicate matters further, it is my understanding that 364, the afternoon flight from Barbados to Dominica is booked full out of Dominica and would therefore not be able to take up any of the slack.”
He questioned the fairness of the cancellation.
“How could this cancellation be fair? How could it have been conceived in the first place? The facts also show that this is a regular occurrence,” Skerrit wrote. “As a leader of a shareholder government in LIAT, I am demanding an immediate investigation of this development and I want for a full report to be dispatched to me soonest. To further complicate and even aggravate matters, it is my understanding that a financial decision was made, not to flag-stop either the 310 or 560 to Dominica to assist any of the 47 stranded passengers sitting in Dominica, or to re-direct the 521, which could have brought the 12 passengers sitting in Antigua to Dominica and taken as many as possible down to Barbados. The irony of this is that the airlines now has to transport and underwrite accommodation for as many as 47 passengers who have absolutely no clue as to how soon they will eventually leave for Dominica.”
He noted that the entire matter was reprehensible and will not be tolerated by him anymore.
The Prime Minister wrote, “While I am at it, I am still at a loss to understand why and how it is that Dominica is not served with a south-bound flight at any point of the day. This brings about the ridiculous situation where every passenger leaving Dominica on LIAT must fly north to Antigua and then connect south to Barbados, St. Lucia and elsewhere. This is geographical genocide. It makes absolutely no sense, planes flying over Dominica half empty and my people are being asked to spend unnecessary long hours connecting through Antigua.”
Skerrit said he will be requesting an urgent shareholders meeting to discuss the issue.
“By virtue of me copying this letter to other shareholder governments, I am signaling my intention to request an urgent shareholder meeting, should this matter not be dealt with, to my satisfaction, in a timely manner,” he wrote.
Thank you PM, you continue to look out for all Dominicans despite our political affiliations. This issue affectes us all, not RED, not BLUE but all.
For that i say thank you. Proud of you sir.
Government must take its share of the blame too. Taxes and fees levied on regional air fares are prohibitive and stifle growth. To illustrate: a single journey from Antigua (a distance of 100 miles) on 2 May by LIAT costs U.S.$.131.25,for a regular fare ticket. A whopping U.S.$.56.25 (practically 43%) of this is accounted for by taxes and fees. I do wonder sometimes if we are trying to grow our tourism industry or strangle it.
The dog has barked but does he have teeth to bite|?????
Dominicans must learn to devorce their business interest from politics.liat is a business and if they fail to provide the services for which they are paid to delivered they should be sued by their clients.liat is getting away with this rubbish service to dominica cause they know that some Dominicans will engaging in blab blab in media instead of taking liat to court for violating their rights.l
when some of us learn that every problem once skerrit is blamed that is the solution. Situations in Dominica will be hard to resolve.
Are you going to pay their court costs.There is mass poverty and under employment in the country
Devorce – Divorce
dominica – Dominica
engaging – engage
skerrit – Skerrit
Try to get Caribben Airlines to fly out of Dominica. This may well relieve the situation with Leave Island Any Time – LIAT.
I once traveled with Caribbean Airlines from Dominica to Antigua, in transit to Canada. It was a very pleasant experience. The female air hostess was friendly. I gave her a compliment. I would travel with them to and from Dominica.
Skerrit it took you so long to realize its been a scam going on in ANTIGUA,Liat is a scam and i guess one of your family members or a passport sales person missed a flight.So the deal could have not been made.Lets see if yiur concern will be addressed and some drastic changes are made.
It sounds like Skerritt has found a voice on behalf of the Dominican traveling public, but hold up.Why is it only now that he sees it fit to speak on our behalf. Last year PM Mitchel of Grenada, in his capacity as chairman of OECS,spoke on behalf of Dominicans, but Skerritt stayed moomoo all this time,Ivor Nassief spoke up on behalf of the Dominican nationals but it’s only now it seems to me that someone close to Skerritt got shafted by LIAT that he acts rationally,and appears to care.Don’t be fooled if that person or persons close to Skerritt were not affected there would be no lobbying.
Better late than never PM and I hope the pressure on LIAT is sustained.Also we should go to the table and not only make noise but have concrete suggestions for how we want our country to be serviced by Liat.We should engage our close allies to back us up in our demands of the airline. This is a true test of your leadership skills,Mr Skerritt and you will be judged by the outcome of this impasse.
It was about time that something was said.
The prime minister was right to address the problem ,but in reality we have lost our respect in the region. We have place our country Dominica in an awkward position ,which makes us a last priority ,and not a major player in the tourism industry in the region. When decisions are taken the bigger players always have the last word. Why do we not have an international airport.? At this stage in the 21st century. This says a lot about the expectations of a country. And as a result we are given this bad treatment. We are deemed unimportant so when push come to shove Dominica gets the short end of the stick. Time to step up politicians and move Dominica to a position when we will be respected. Face it we can only be treated bad when we position our country at the bottom.
Skerrit after you put so much money towards Liat they treating Dominicans like dogs. This is a reflection of how Dominicans are treated by your Labour party, if you don’t respect and be honest with your people then the rest of the world will treat us with no respect. Don’t we owe part of Liat?
What is the matter with you? Do not overdo it with your comment. The PM requested an urgent Shareholders’ meeting. He is doing something. He deserves credit.
Given LIAT’s history, this action should have been taken long ago. There was a great opportunity at the time Ivor Nasseif wrote a letter to LIAT in regards to people left at DA airport, because LIAT was supposed to receive new planes. LIAT did not have the courtesy to inform their customers before this disaster. The Prime Minister is very late. We have already lost all respect.
simo7
How does raising hell at liat to ensure Dominicans aren’t kept waiting amount to him not caring about his people? This situation is completely the opposite isn’t it?
There is nothing “ideal” about this comment of yours; just as there is nothing perfect about your, yourself. I suggest that you choose another identity as soon as possible–an identity which suits your character and you know what it means–you do not know what the term “ideal” means. And you are making a fool of yourself.
This comment is spoken to identity named “Ideal”
Its Clear People Commenting here are just all about politics Skerritt did something really good and just see it for that – I don’t care for what reason(s) he did it – the point is take the reason given for 581 cancelation – to duty the first officer to 771 – total disrespect to Dominicans and people here chatting crap about politics – well that’s just why Liat got no respect for Dominicans. Jokers – The Caribbean need an airline – LIAT is not one
Everything for their narrow minds is politics. It is the height of stupidity on their part.
He is doing it for the passengers, Dominica’s who are frustrated and upset with LIAT’s ploy and no doubt bad management and poor service.
While I will agree that Liat has been treating DA badly and actually wrote to Mr Evans myself in December to let him know that Dominicans deserved better, this letter suggests that someone close to the PM was affected and so he decided to blow some steam. A letter needed to be sent out long before April as since last year, it was no longer possible to come from islands north of Antigua to DA within reasonable time as flights were routed via Antigua then Barbados. Then flights were totally sold out for 2 consecutive weeks in December since mid November and Liat made no effort to introduce direct flights to DA from Antigua or increase flights. Then suddenly Liat decided to discontinue its afternoon flights from Antigua now forcing Dominicans travelling from North of Antigua to choose 1 of 2 unreasonable options; overnighting in Antigua or going via Antigua then Barbados to get home (a minimum of 6 1/2 hours depending on which of the Northern Caribbean islands you are coming from.
I am in agreement with the prime minister. LIAT need to start treating its clients right. I had a recent experience with LIAT which disgust me a whole lot to the point police even got involved. I left Dominica on April 13th, bound for St Croix Virgin Islands. when the flight arrived in St Marteen, we were told that the connecting flight was delayed. this went on indefinitely, until we were told at 11.50pm we have to overnight for there will be no flight again for the night. next day came, no flight, we are being told that there is not a crew to operate the flight. from the 13th, myself and about 21 others arrived at our destination on the 16th at 3.30pm. when we choose to speak for our rights, st marten police were called in. LIAT need to do much better than that. The PM is right, about the treatment Dominicans are receiving from LIAT.
Passengers pay an exorbitant sum of money and this is what LIAT does to them. LIAT should be sued. It is time to take action against LIAT.
LIAT is not under any pressure ladies and gentlemen. Skerrit cannot put LIAT under pressure for his own failure that is his face. Skerrit is the one that’s under pressure because citizens of all the other Caribbean islands can move freely, dom-in-a -cans can only see LIAT fly over their heads, less than five years after Skerrit dumped millions of dollars building night landing for LIAT and now not even day landing he getting. Just before the carnival, in the St. Joseph rally he told us about how a dog bite hurts more when is your own dog that bite you. Well Skerrit, your own LIAT dogs have beaten you and I know it hurts you. Sadly enough President Lever pool who tested night landing is not there to nurse your self inflicted little boy wound. You need to go!!!
A class-action suit against LIAT would be in order. Let us see LIAT try to convince the Judge that it has done the right thing.
Does mr. Skerrit use LIAt’s scheduled services for his private- & official travel? I am asking because if he did he would have reacted sooner the way he did. I suspect some “vip” persons, or certainly persons close to him personally were affected this time. As an ordinary traveler I have trepedations every time I book with LIAT and in th end, apart from the discomfort and miserable treatment it is costing me real money in extra expenses. I’m glad the P.M. has woken up and hope that LIAt does not retaliate by withdrawing their services even further rather than improve them. One gets the feeling that they do not really need us and see us as an irritant.
Do you understand that we invested millions of dollars in LIAT. We own part of LIAT.
Yes I do understand that very clearly, although it has never been confirmed we actually transferred all this money to the account of LIAT. Have you never heard of a bad investment? This is definitely a bad investment and has not helped to improve the plight of us Dominicans one bit, quite the opposite in fact. I would advise mr. Skerrit to dispose of any shares before they become worthless and no longer be beholden to an airline that does not deserve our custom. It is no use holding on to rotten eggs in the vain hope they may one day become valuable.
Skerrit you are a seasoned loser and you should resign from your post as leader of Dominica and Dominicans u are nothing but a phony. Your quest is to own everything so Dominicans will always be at your beck and call. But most of us are smart and others are getting smarter. Now u want to be in all industry…. Pick your battles. Well phonion..
@Zuma April 19, 2016
Right now you are 8-13; thumbs down number 13 is mine to you. You opinion of PM Skerrit is completely the opposite. I have been following with him, since 8 years ago. One of his biggest victory during that time is his 18-21 election win. I have not yet heard nothing about him being a loser –criticize him, if you feel like doing so; but choose another approach for your criticism
But you well late Mr PM. We the affected passengers have been crying for years while you said nothing and throw good money after bad LIAT. Now you coming out bawling while some of us have just given up travelling to or from Dominica, but granny always said, “too late shall be the cry”!
I wonder when Dominicans will wake up to realize that liat is attempting to sabotage dominica effort at building a touriism industry by making travel y air very difficult. This is not a skerrit or a linton issue. Stop viewing every problem from a political prism.
I think it is good that our PM is finally having a public voice in this matter, but we Dominicans have been suffering under Leave Island AnyTime for years. The atrocities we have experienced by this backwards airline, from lost luggage, to late take-offs and missed connections, no refunds, overnights – the laundry list is endless. The fact that we have invested so much precious dollars into a failing and politically corrupt airline, without any stipulations that guarantee that the Dominican public’s best interest is at the forefront, is a baffling decision. Did the PM not think to negotiate that we get flights to the south instead our north-to-south flight path? Direct access to Puerto Rico and St Maarteen? I’m happy that we have ferry solutions to get to the south, but have we now retreated to boats in this day and age?
LIAT has been doing this for years. It is time to stop it. How can LIAT do this to Dominica or other passengers to and from other islands? It is obvious LIAT cannot be depended on.
Thanks for finally speaking to LIAT for us Sir. I suspect you may have been directly affected and it truly was a painful and humiliating blast. They have been treating us like no class citizens for decades and you watched it happen – you actually rewarded them with $8M. Unfortunately, for you, you were dealt the blow. Fortunately for us, it had to take this for you to talk for us. #ChangewillCome
Hon. Dr. PM – As a ordinary Citizen, have you ever left Puerto Rico Airport to Find the Liat Counter to check in for you flight to Dominica. Do you remember the struggle to find the Counter? Not even the Puerto Rican Airport workers can direct you to that Counter. Don’t talk about the escorted walk to the aircraft. The passengers have to follow the Agent like refugees being deported, manuveuring under in the basement of a building with old leaky pipes hanging over. You would not have remembered those days Sir. I think if you were treated this way, LIAT would have gotten this Angry letter from you many years ago. I still thank you.
These are matters to lodge a formal complaint about. LIAT is a lousy airline.
An international airport will never be built in Dominica as long as the Skeritt led Administration is the Government. An international airport can be built in one recognized area in Dominica, the UWP has been talking about that area for years, since the time of Mr. Edison James. In fact, the UWP started the process in terms of building the airport. Skeritt rather make Dominicans suffer then to endorse anything associated with the UWP. Case in point, remember the stadium, he ripped up millions of dollars of materials that were supposed to be use for the stadium and it is alleged all the materials were thrown into the sea, so that he could build his own stadium. Apart from the creole festival, name any significant achievements coming from the UWP, the DLP Government has utilized or improve. According to the saying, ” he rather cut his nose to spite his face”.
In fact the UWP and Edison James stopped the process of building an international airport in Dominica by the US during the reign of Eugenia Charles. Now the UWP stupidity is haunting us.
Doc. Love can you remember where the UWP dumped tons of substandard concrete they were using to build the same ruins that your god Lennox took all you UWP. This layout ruins is one of the wonders of Edison and UWP reign.
Was Skerrit on the flight that was cancelled or was Tony Astaphan the affected one. This childish outburst by Skerrit sounds like someone who was personally affected and not the genuine concern of a Prime Minister speaking on the behalf of its citizens.
Dominicans have been complaining about the bad treatment from LIAT for ages and Skerrit never said a word, in fact when he decided to throw $8 million into LIAT he did so without any condition. So to write this childish, immature letter like a primary school bully only exposes Skerrit’s boyishness and to make it worse, adding insult to injury, he gives it to Tony Astaphan to read. Those LIAT shareholders must be wondering when this spoilt little boy is going to grow up.
It appears that the CEO gave him the reply he deserved, hold your cheap little, incompetent airline and shub it up, I gone.
Mr. Priminster I want you too connsider one thing Liat is not an air line for Dominicans to trust. I have been travelling on liat from 1969, and i can tell you Liat behavior towards Dominicans have never change. In fact Sir if I had my way I would do everything in my power for dominican to only use Liat as a last resort. Therefore Sir forget about most Dominicans who will never agree with you in any Ploicy you under take, however, you have a legacy to leave behind and that is to build an international airport for Dominicans. You do not have to have funds to do so find a developer and list a piece of land for one hundred years for that developer and collect all the taxes and let them run the airport. Thats the only way Liat will beg Dominicans to travelled on their plane. You can never go wrong. We are the Best Contry in the Caribbean, The rest of the Caribbean are worried for Dominica to have an international airport, beacuse they know that Dominica have the best overal growt.
“You do not have to have funds to do so find a developer and list a piece of land for one hundred years for that developer and collect all the taxes and let them run the airport. ”
Where have you been? There is land already bought to accommodate the International Airport!
You are talking as much nonsense as Skerrit, even more!
When Skerrit and his labor party shut down the International Airport the UWP was building, they claimed it was too expensive, and they could build one for a fraction of what it was costing the UWP to build. Mind you the UWP was spending less than four hundred million dollars to build it. Recently Skerrit said it will cost more than a billion dollars.
The coalition government of which Skerrit was a junior minister claimed that they have developers in Dubai and hundreds of other people willing to build Airport for them, and will operate it for a number of years, and then give it to the Labor Party for free, after twenty years, has passed, their…
The coalition government of which Skerrit was a junior minister claimed that they have developers in Dubai and hundreds of other people willing to build Airport for them, and will operate it for a number of years, and then give it to the Labor Party for free, after twenty years, has passed, their investors were invisible, and still remains invisible; all we have is that which Skerrit spend more than half of a billion dollars on and called it Douglas-Charles airport.
It is one thing for people to talk all sort of nonsense, but the reality is the only way Dominica will come by an International Airport, the government either have to come up with all of the money, or get as loan from some other country.
When the UWP was building the airport, the government of Trinidad & Tobago under took 80% of the cost in a loan, the Peoples Republic of China contributed money, the Tiwan government gave free money, and also a loan. When Skerrit and the coalition government took power, guys like…
When Skerrit and the coalition government took power, guys like Athie Martin, chase the contractors from Trinidad & Tobago out of the country, they shut down the International Airport that was in progress. Skerrit decided to squander all that money left plus more on Melville Airport, rather than building a new International Airport for less than the mess he made with the money. People should be rioting this day to get Skerrit to get out of the way of progress in the country, with him it will only get worst!
Do you know of another airline that Dominicans could travel on?
For your information, some of the travel agencies could be friends of LIAT and also give LIAT preference.
Let us all pray that Dominica has an international airport. Dominica must not pay these people any mind. They do not operate in Dominica’s interest. They are getting the majority of business. It is time for Dominica to get some, if not all of it.
Facts, LIAT has been flying in and out of Dominica for more than sixty years, don’t you think something is wrong with Dominica why LIAT is the only airline we can attract to fly into and out of Dominica?
Fact, I flew from Antigua in 1963 to Dominica, on a twin engine aircraft “BOAC” that indicates British Overseas Air Corp. That is (was) a subsidiary of British Airways, which is still in existence, and flying to most islands in the Caribbean, Trinidad, Jamaica, and Guyana for sure!
Don’t you think that if there was an International Airport in Dominica, other airlines might be flying in and out of the country?
Where is American Eagle: Where is the Dominica originated airline Organized by the Pereira Brothers, my cousin Kathleen Telemaque the former Dominica, and Caribbean Queen was married to one of them. One of their aircrafts piloted by an African crashed in the mountains between Marigot and Wesley.
There is no vast volume of travel in and out of Dominica. So how do…
There is no vast volume of travel in and out of Dominica. So how do we change that? We develop the tourism industry, advertise the country as a tourist destination, respect those who come be fair, and do not rip-off people; right now LIAT is loosing much more than it gains flying in and out of Dominica!
Eight percent of that is Skerrit, and the Labor Party fault!
Francisco: That is not the point. I recognize that LIAT has had a similar problem dating back to many years.
LIAT is an airline and must operate and satisfactorily serve all the countries which they have on record. Passengers are paying ample fares.
I should not repeat this that LIAT cut flights. Today, passengers must overnight at their expense even though they arrive in Antigua at 3:00 pm, probably earlier. This would include Barbados. It is an inconvenience and frustrating to passengers to especially Dominica. It also causes them anxiety and stress.
I am informing you, as I stated in a previous article it is not encouraging to visit Dominica unless for an emergency.
Dominica is losing visitors and funding because of LIAT’s schedule. LIAT has a severe problem which it should rectify.
If LIAT has another concern, it should be addressed to the PM so that he can inform nationals about it.
Telemaue, the way you are talking, about International Airport, is as if you think that a Jet Plane from Los Angelis, where you now leave, will fly directly to Dominica. But how can an airline be filled with people heading to Dominica alone –if those airlines are going to make money?
On my way home in 2008, I met a lady who lives in my home building here, in Canada, she was going to St. Vincent, but the airline stopped in Barbados. Maybe she stayed on that Airline –which was Sky Service, or maybe she got out, to catch a LIAT flight to St. Vincent–one way or the other it is no difference from the service which we have in Dominica.
An International Airline would have to unload at least 300 people frequently, if Dominica would make money from an Internation Airport –how is that possible with a Nation of 70, thousand people–as most people from the International world, know nothing about us.
How long is it that Air Jamaica is no longer in Service?
If you cannot run de country step down, St.Kitts doing well, St.Lucia doing well, all u doing is making noise with people. You incompetent!
Ecila One of the most important part of life is the fact that when one stay out of the kitchen and open their mouth the only thing that goes in their mouth is wind not smoke, why? because they are not in the kitchen.
You were yet to be born when Liat was living Dominicans to sleep placeses they had no idea they would be sleeping for that night. Can you immagine Leaving St Thomas at 3: pm in the afternoon and arrived in you Country next day at 5: pm. This behavior with Liat must come to an end. I am Supprised that the Priminster did not approached Liat Administratives sooner, ut somebody must stop this madness with Liat. It’s too long such behavior is in practice. Some times when Liat leave you in Auntigua, you have to take your lorggages with you. When you arrived at the Counter to check-in Liat charge you for over load again so whem you put these facts into play should not critized the Priminster for looking out for his people. is people like you that cause us to be left behind.
Since 1969 huuh. So it takes 47 years to finally complain. If in 47 years we had put 5 million a year a side for international airport we would build two by now. We are the door mat of the region just like Dominica is the Door mat of skerrit and Asstaphans. Liat is a business and if it Na make profit let it fail. The 8 million donation is the kind of crap that cause it to continue to form the fool. The reason why they do that is because they take us for fools the PM being fool in charge.
I think it’s people like you.
Look at that word. LORGGAGES
IN WHICH DICTIONARY D I D YOU FIND THIS WORD AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Is not Ecila but Alice George. Read it back to front like hebrew. I don’t know why she wants to disguise her name so.
u mean st Lucia is doing well in the JAZZ Festival!!!!!!!!!!!!! ????????????? go do your home work about who is doing well and who is not
This is what you deserve:
Now that the P.M is somewhat angry with the poor treatment LIAT has been giving one of it’s most important stop.
Mr P.M revocation of their landing rights should. Should be on the table if immediate result is not forthcoming.
And how would you travel?
Be careful what you are asking for. LIAT might be very happy with such a move and have a troublesome destination Dominica removed from their schedule..
Trusts skerrit to kill American Eagle. American eagle was very convenient u would fly in directly from Puerto Rico, i was at puerto rico airport and could not even find the gate for Dominica. Even Keith Mitchel bawl flying to Dominica.
In fairness, I don’t think American Eagle’s decision to withdraw their service to/from Dominica had anything to do with mr. Skerrit. It was a corporate decision to stop operations overall and absorb some of them into the American Airlines network. As far as I’m aware American Eagle does no longer exist as a separate entity.
this is what you call leadership at its best.
When you listen to supporters of the DLP like Simeon, Tony, Mcintime Douglas, Christian, Mervin, they refer to Mr. Lennox Linton as being spontaneous, in terms of leadership. Sometime, I wonder who is more spontaneous then Skeritt. The man doesn’t appear to have any for sight. Anytime Mr. Linton or Mr. Fontaine would make a public statement about an issue facing Dominica, boom, like Marlyne would say, he reacts. If they talk about the bad economy, he reacts. If they talk about the corruption in Government, he reacts. If they talk about electoral reform, he reacts. If they talk about abuse of young children, he reacts. Just a few days ago, Mr. Fontaine spoke publicly about the bad economy and the effect the lack of an International Airport is having on the economy, he used an incident at the airport to write, in my opinion, an abusive letter to LIAT. This type of incidents have occurred on several occasions. That is spontaneous to the maximum, isn’t it.
If liat stop comes to dominica it would be more profitable for them as this point, we don’t make money so we cannot travel like the other country’s, so stop backing, the county is backward.
Way to go my pm
Yes, Go P.M. ,….on a one -way ticket!
Since skerrit come pm, American eagle stopped coming to Dominica, cruise ships complaining and now LIAT want to stop. What u expect when u build a shabby airport at the price of an international airport? Then u name the airport to surnames, garcon u messing up our country and u need to shut up, u are the problem not LIAT.
If these airlines have a complaint they should address it to the current PM. It cannot be assumed that they stopped because of the PM and/or Dominica. They have ulterior motives why one stopped and the other has cut its flights and sometimes have a no-show, leaving passengers stranded. It is not fair to them.
There have been hundreds of similar LIAT cancellations affecting Dominicans with no reaction by the PM. Would the manifest or passenger list for this flight reveal the real reason for his reaction now? Who was supposed to be on this flight to make our PM ruffle his feathers?
Awana Noh
Always negative. You can’t expect to get anywhere with this type of attitude.
In fact when he welcomed Hugo Chavez here he allowed Venezuelan security to take over the airport and close it down for regular flights without warning. Many people lost their flights that day and suffered inconvenience and expense trying to reschedule their travel arrangements. Of course, the airlines, including LIAT did not accept any responsibility because it was Mr. Skerrit (the Govt) that allowed that to happen. Did he ever apologize or compensate those hapless travelers??
Thank you Prime Minister, I have been saying that you are the best prime minister that Dominica ever have and you are demonstrating it,thank you again.
Do you undersfand what best means.?
“Skerrit said he was utter disgusted at the shabby manner in which Dominica was being treated by the airline saying it “clearly appears to be an awful, negative attitude towards Dominica by senior personnel at LIAT..” Roosevelt Skerrit).
Roosevelt Skerrit, the worst is yet to come, they will forever disrespect you, and Dominicans for obviously reasons! You are a backward individual, you think small, Gonzalez of St. Vincent, and the Birds of Antigua when they were in power made a fool out of you!
They told you do not build an International Airport in your country because we do not need it! Gonzalez advised you that your pink red, and yellow Elephant in the dry swamp at Melville Hall is all you require, so that’s what you have, unfortunately, your country is the only island in the Caribbean that is solely dependent on LIAT.
Where is Dominica’s International Airport Mr. Mountain Chicken Carpaud (Crapo) Mentality, Mr. Indian doctor of nothing?
Donde es Dominica’s…
Where is Dominica’s International Airport Mr. Mountain Chicken Carpaud (Crapo) Mentality, Mr. Indian doctor of nothing?
Donde es Dominica’s Aeropuerto Internacional Roosevelt Skerrit?
The UWP had an International Airport under construction, your Labor Party said all they need it for was to bring more drugs into the country, and it was too expensive. Bird, filled LIAT Aircrafts with more than twenty-five thousand Dominicans living in Antigua to return home to vote UWP out of power, so that the Labor Party could shutdown the project. Well, you have accomplished that: take what you get from dumb citizens, and dumb leaders such as Prime Ministers suffer the consequences of their stupidity!
At last! Praise God. With no degree whatsoever I always know this makes absolutely no sense to the passenger. To LIAT though we have been made to pay for fuel which had nothing to do with our destination other than they manipulated the flights to charge us exorbitant fares.
Think big and build an international airport. Dominica and Dominicans need this.
I think we should intensify the use of Canefield with smaller planes, at least for the time being as we can not provide enough volume at Melville Hall for LIAT at present anyway. We should also consider installing runway lighting there. I know it can be done.
The 8 million investment was so Dominica (not Skeritt personally) could be a shareholder in LIAT and have a say in the affairs of the airline when it affects the country… hence the letter and the premise of this article. There are some people that are just obsessed with the man… its not about Skeritt its about Airline service and he’s speaking and engaging other governments on behalf of the country.
How ignorant can one be to speak against that? Election finish a loooong time ago… get over it jeeez!
Oh you know election finish in your @6se. Allu too wicked. Liat been doing that all the time. I would like to see the passengers list on that particular day. Oh well.
Why it took so long? That’s the question
Are you aware that since the injection of that money things have gotten a lot worse for Dominican travellers? It has taken us back about 30 years. Maybe the authorities should have waited until Liat got its act together before wasting my tax dollars. As a frequent traveller, I continue to feel the pain.
We should not Put all the blame on the Airline for the cancellation of a flight which happens with all airlines. We should fix our air access problems so that we have more options and would not be dependent on one airline to service our country. It would be more useful to find out how we can build better air access to the country than attack the only carrier for the cancellation of one flight. More options means better business for the country and its people. The presence of an international airport would solve some of these problem. Blaming LIAT does not fix the problem.
Journey X. With all the conversation that has been going on and you choose to write this nonsense as though you were living elsewhere or on another planet. The letter writers have been consistent in saying this is an old repetitive problem. They gave several examples to confirm this and it is as though you read nothing. Why bother join the conversation.
simo7
All of a sudden everyone (almost) is backing the “corrupt” pm
Don’t get too excited Gwa. I and many other people still think he is not good for Dominica and should go but the noise he made with LIAT was a good thing. If something is good we should say so and if it is bad we should say that too. That is freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of opinion. That is democracy and is so I love it.
I suppose you are not a traveler and on LIAT. Otherwise why would you make this ignorant comment?
Thank u PM it was about time that’s the only straight and sure flight into Dominica liat to wicked and u see it in their workers behavior like we don’t matter.
(Instrumental of SVU – Deng, Deng)!
Well lucky for some of us is by boat we travelling to the neighboring islands!!
If Tony was not stranded in Antigua, I wonder if he would write that letter to LIAT for the PM?
If he did he had every right to do so. It is also on behalf of Dominicans who will benefit if LIAT changes its schedules. It takes someone as he to set the ball rolling. Good for him. Be appreciative.
it was time, because we are standing to long in the rain and no one coming to our rescue.we are treated like dogs in Antigua.
If there were employment opportunities in Dominica: If you all did not depend on Skerrit for handouts, and demand he produce rather than simply talking crap you would not have to leave you country and go to a place like Antigua, to live and be treated like a dog.
I hope you are not one of those whom twenty years ago Bird gave a free ride on same LIAT to go home and vote against yourself; I hope you were not one of the idiots who said “we doh want no International Airport in Dominica because Antigua, and Barbados have one already.”
When people act stupid, and dumb,it usually return to haunt them. Skerrit can call any amount of emergency meeting, that is not going to change the situation, Skerrit incompetence has brought the little red roosters home to roost!
When you go to the International Airport in Antigua, and you walk around the new International Terminal, think about as progress in comparisons to Douglas-Charles swimming pool when it is flooded out!
Where there’s no vision, the country will perish. How dumb were\are you to invest eight million precious dollars into a failing liat. Countries that are more financially sound than Dominica are reluctant to waiste their precious dollars, but you Skerrit, like an idiot just delved into it.
Boy just shut up and go rest yourself. Nincompoop.
Bright spark. Please add to your glib bur ridiculous comment your workable alternative proposal for getting travellers better airlifted into and out of Dominica in the absence of LIAT. As the saying goes, “talk is cheap”!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhah!
Yes!
Ralph Gonzalez told him do not build an International Airport in Dominica, because we do not nee it. Gonzalez told Skerrit all he need to do is refurbish the terminal, install landing lights on the runway, dig up the river bed and turn it into a parking lot, and our nation will benefit the most.
He told Skerrit the tourist will be landing all day and all night when they hear of night landing at Dog-last-Charles Airport oui!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahha!
You you know our illustrious little god and dictator stood, or sat taking Gonzalez stupid advise, making a fool out of Skerrit, while he Gonzalez was in the process of building an International Airport in St. Vincent. He advised Skerrit to screw himself up. What Gonzalez advised Skerrit to build was precisely what he had in St. Vincent, and he did not…
What Gonzalez advised Skerrit to build was precisely what he had in St. Vincent, and he did not want Dominica to make any progress ahead of St. Vincent.
Argyle International Airport is reality in St. Vincent, yet Gonzalez again ordered Skerrit like a damn child to pore more than ten million dollars into an none profit entity LIAT. Skerrit like a child again succumb to the orders, and wish of the man who manipulated his mind so often.
So, I see no point of Skerrit talking such nonsense when by now he should have realized that our ultimate alternative is the building of an International Airport in the country!
While I am not a supporter of Skerrit I believe this is one of the best things to come out of his mouth.
It is time Dominica was/is treated as an equal partner by Liat after all we are putting money there.
We need to be able to get to Dominica the same day no matter where you travel from. Like people say what we need is competition so hopefully service will improve all round.
Mr. Prime minister I am in total agreement with you on this matter.. enough is enough.
I salute the P.M on this…Its time we stop playing nice and demand the same treatment as everyone else.
Thank you Prime Minister.
Could you also investigate the issue of same day flights from the UK to Dominica. Yesterday a friend advised me that she was forced to cancel her travel to Dominica as she refuses to overnight in Antigua as she would be forced to do, if she travels.
It is ludicrous that we have to overnight in Antigua, when we should be sleeping in our warm Dominican beds.
Kudos to you Mr Prime Minister. Let Liat know that you are not prepared to accept their unacceptable service.
That is crucial Shirley. It is ridiculous that one can travel from London to Australia for less money and quicker than from London to Dominica. We will never grow our tourism business like that.
It was time he said something
Please government fixed the hub at the air port in other for liat to free flights per day, they promised liat that it would be fixed in December that was not done, liat had know choice than pull out one flight, and the government know why that was done, they told them by June it should fixed, known one can blame liat for is happening, is the government should be the one to hold the blame, I know what am talking about because I worked at the airport
It is clear that you have absolutely no idea what you are babbling about. In fact your comments are complete nonsense. Perhaps you might wish to contradict this contribution by explaining exactly what this “hub” at the ‘air port’ is, and how the “hub” and the rest of the nonsense referred to in your babble would supposedly work.
Why don’t you stop talking, have u been to to airport lately? do you work with any of the airlines do you know why liat only have two flights to Dominica? Please tell your pm to fix the airport,all of u that wishing liats downfall remember u never miss the water till the well run dry
Free flights would be nice. Meanwhile I’m happy with three flights a day.
Fixed what hub?
Between Guyana, in the North, and Jamaica in the South, Antigua International Airport is the hub! That is why Gonzalez and the Birds plotted to derail Edison and the UWP efforts of building an International Airport.
Gonzalez told Bird, if they allow Dominica to get an International Airport, Dominica will become the Hub, and Antigua will lose that privilege; okay! And incase you do not know there is recording of everything they said in their meeting when the planed on damaging our country.
Just incase you do not know when the term hub is used in reference to an airport, it means an airport that is effectively in the center of activity in a certain region. Dominica is central in the Caribbean, that is what the Birds, and Gonzalez realized and went to work on Skerrit who as usual don’t no much of anything, hence they coned him and make a fool out of him.
In reality a hub is a system of air transportation in which a local airport offers flights to a central…
In reality a hub is a system of air transportation in which a local airport offers flights to a central airport where international, or long distance flights are available. Since Dominica neither offers long distance, nor international flights, it cannot be called a Hub.
“Between Guyana, in the North, and Jamaica in the South,”
That in the quote is wrong, you see: Jamaica is in the North, and Guyana is in the South!
Well it’s about time somebody took a stance against that liberty taking and insulting organisation. They’ve been creating nothing but utter misery for Dominicans having to use their service. They need to completely collapse and go bust so that someone like Virgin can take over the business and run it professionally.
But wait if this is such a good letter for an excellent cause why in the world would Skerrit has Astaphan among all people read the letter to an Antiguan radio station–that is total disrespect for the Dominican people along with the treatment by Liat. Sorry Skerrit 2 wrongs don’t make a right.. this is insult to injury to the people……. I like and support your letter but I don’t like that messenger– come man you can do better than that. But the larger question is: does this guy own you………..? The
LIAT deserves to be exposed.
allu you doh even have airport and allu vex
What do you call that place in Melville hall where planes land and people check in to travel by air? The comments on dno really shows the level of stupidity by many of my fellow Dominicans
I call that what it always was. A coconut plantation with a runway.
As if you have one! Then lend us your own. OH NO, we don’t want it. It is home to too many STD’s!!!!
Now I hearing tuff talk.. it was time
I would like to see how this unfolds, particularly the possibility that LIAT may not acknowledge or respond to Skerrit. If this does happen, I trust it will invoke some kind of spirit of introspection to the PM, because the practice of not acknowledging or responding to letters, emails, etc., has been perfected by Skerrit and his inner core of civil servants in Dominica. Just ask private sector leaders, and they will give you a litany of instances where the PM was written to and he is yet to even acknowledge those correspondence. So I am hoping, even praying, that LIAT does not respond to the PM. This is not about politics but, rather, basic manners and courtesy lacking in abundance by State operatives. Help us LIAT, please help us!
They let go the CEO after the letter. You constant political nonsense is cancer to Dominica. The election finish a long time ago UWP lost get over it and contribute towards the country.
#UDOHREADYET. Are you some kind of charlatan or what? Where did you read that they let go the CEO after the letter? Was the CEO fired or he resigned? Was the letter ever discussed? I think it is you who doh-read-yet!
They did not let the CEO go. Read and comprehend garcon. He resigned. To resign is to voluntarily leave a job or office. Please do dnot insult our intelligence. So your’e trying to tell us that because Skerrit wrote that letter that the CEO was sacked? Like really is King Skerrit Lord Savior and Master of all? Did you not hear yourself? And you have to gull to talk about political cancer. Zor bon la. Liat need to reduce to one flight in Dominica. We’re too passive and we talk too much
Our P. M has proved that he is a force to be reckoned with. Trust me they will listen and comply.
I do not always agree with our P M’s decisions, but I am behind him 100% n this one.
Anyone can make noise. The results will tell and I’m waiting before passing judgement. One bird alone does not make spring.
#Mikey. We are all fed up with LIAT and I would like to believe that collectively, we are behind the PM’s initiative, but the PM needs a dose of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” If he does not acknowledge letters from taxpayers and the movers of this country, why should he expect a reply from LIAT? So, I repeat, “Don’t answer him, LIAT. Maybe it will abound to the good for the whole country.”
I remember being left in Dominica and havung to wait till the next day and agree with Skeritt , but one has to admit that he knew that airline was a failing business since his share holding came about by putting 8 millions as a prop for liat and a popularity stunt for himself like the night landing puppy show .
If he did not, people as you would criticize him. He did it for the sake of Dominicans. LIAT has disappointed and failed Dominicans.
Mr. Skerrit is a coward and acting too much like a little boy. First of all, Tony Astaphan on behalf of PM Skerrit read that so called letter on WAVS 1170 Am (a Jamaican based station broadcasting in South Florida), during their 7:10 am news today, and folks, the said letter on DNO is completely different from the one Anthony Astaphan read on WVAS this morning. Although Tony sounded unhappy, but letter itself was so much more polite and professional than the one on DNO. For example, the one Tony read on the Florida based station said nothing about Skerrit demanding explanation, nothing about “I am warning, now, that this must stop,” nothing about the last paragraph of the one seen on DNO. Yes, Tony did say that Dominica was being affected and for them to see two LIAT flights going above Dominica was hurtful, but the impression they gave to Dominicans on DNO, is completely different from the one Tony Astaphan read, with his own voice to South Floridans.
Well well well, are you really serious? How could there be two separate letters in response to the same issue? Is Skerrit making us believe that he wrote a hard and demanding letter for answers from LIAT when in fact he wrote a smooth, quiet dog-tail in the behind letter to LIAT? So when he receives an amicable response from LIAT will he give the impression that LIAT had not addressed some of the burning issues in his letter? What is this about at all? Is Skerrit a fraud again. We need to know the truth behind all of this monkey business pretending to be totally unacceptable behaviors on LIATs part.
Well, put it this way and say Dominicans, and Jamaicans residing in South Florida, and not classify it as everyone living in South Florida, because I doubt that an American family would sit in the their home, or driving in their automobile listening to any crap which concerns Dominica, or any other island in the Caribbean for that matter!
The listening audience might be West Indians in general. If it is the same station a woman from Wesley hosed a gospel program, you can be sure they must have a Dominica listening audience.
This is what happens when you put all your eggs into LIAT’s basket. If LIAT were to go under tomorrow what is DA going to do, we hardly have any other airlines to fall back on?
Yes: Air Antilles Express, Air Sunshine, Seaborne, Coastal Air, Winair, and our own Hummingbird Air once it gets running again.
As the saying, “Something will give.” Be positive.
A hypocrite you are indeed Skeritt. You are feeling stupid that you gave them your money and now they are manhandling us. Take what get. Liat is making a fool out of you just like you are disrespecting and making a fool out of Dominican’s. While I do appreciate you having a strong word on this matter, the bigger picture must be looked at. We need a wider range of airlines coming into Dominica. Our options are simple too small. Look at what we have to go through when travelling. We have to take a boat and go Guadeloupe, then take a jet. When we coming into Dominica we have to overnight in a freezing airport in Puerto Rico or Antigua. What is that? Madness!!! Both you and Liat need to pack up and leave
You must be inside his brains to know that.
I feel Dominica pain. I have been turned off about traveling to and from Dominica. However there is nothing much the PM can do but shout and moan. The bottom line is liat is a constantly failing business with too much interference from inefficient Caribbean governments and a cash cow for corrupted Antiguan officials. Mr. Skerrit pumpmed 8 million into liat in the name of investments. It was a bad one. Liat is not a welfare organization although it operates like one but is a business there to make a profit. The PM gas no other options for travel in the islands so he has no chips to play but his big mouth. There are no other airlines and even if there was there are not enough inter island travel. All this is a result of the inability of the region to generate inter island commerce, high paying jobs, low unemployment, inter island tourism and most of all sound economic growth. A region with over 30 million people should not have that problem.
Anyone knows what geographical genocide means? I liked that line lol
Another reason to support and develop HummingBird Air to become an airline that can purchase larger airplanes to fly out of Melville Hall and provide us with the class A service that we deserve to and from Dominica.
Great Job Mr. Skerrit.. keep the pressure on until all these issues are resolved in the interest of Dominica. Its about time. I was beginning to wonder when are you going to speak out about liat and it’s under arm treatment they been giving to the people of Dominica.
What pressure. Liat not the red Cross. Why you think the Antigua prime minister was happy for the 8 million? 7.9 was going to Antigua economy. Shareholders complain about profitability and return on investments. We are the weakest link. What skerrit needs to do is work on the tourism product to encourage increased travel to Dominica. You people are not seeing the cause of the problem. Skerrit can jump high and jump low we need to have at least 200-500 people coming into Dominica a day, 90% of which need to be tourist to solve the problem. Only around independence liat busy for Dominica. Skerrit must have been finally personally affected so now he blowing fumes as always. Where was he when ordinary Dominicans were complaining and gave them 8 million for thier failures. If liat is a government subsidies airline and has no choice I understand. Liat failure is a reflection of the Caribbean in its inability to develop. The weakest country taking the hardest beating. That’s it….
Subsidised
Good for you Skerritt !!! Well said — This nonsense with LIAT must stop !!!
Good move PM. It was time you did this. It is a nightmare flying in and out of Dominica; how can our tourism industry grow in that environment! The Antiguans are doing this deliberately to ensure Dominicans overnight in Antigua to spend their money there. Please keep us updated PM.
Well good for Skerrit, let him take his blows, we Dominicans put him there and he thinks he owns us and we have to sit back and shut up and take what he give us. He takes all sorts of decisions without consulting us the people who have to pay the taxes for him to squander. Where is our $8 million? What has LIAT done for us, Skerrit is just a big impressionist, he never weighed the consequences or the benefits to us and now the money gone down the drain he pretending that he angry. We not living in any fools paradise, we know exactly what is going on, Skerrit has to cover his shame in some way so he making a letter public, as to whether that letter is authentic is a big question, Tony read one to LIAT on Florida Radio Station which is entirely different from this letter on DNO. The authenticity of the letter needs to be investigated. Stop fooling Dominicans and my guess is nothing going to come out of this rant and rave by Skerrit.
Wow. Strong words! Late but necessary. Its time LIAT treats Dominica and Dominicans with respect!!
Wait….wait…..Liat has been in the hole for a while now yet Dominica STILL invested into liat when it was struggling. …..in my opinion that money could have been more beneficial doing something productive for Dominicans. .. many countries opted out of helping Liat, yet Skerritt decided it was beneficial to invest…. Why complain now and act disappointed now…our money already in fire…ijs
it was about time. LIAT’s CEO and officials are too ridiculous. PM Skerrit, please do not be intimidated and don’t back down.
You know, I’m afraid to book with LIAT for my travel in & out of Dominica. They are not cheap and I’m always running the risk of missing my connecting flight. I am now using Winair from Canefield via St. Maarten for N. America (Seabourn via Puerto Rico is too expensive) and Fort de France ( using the ferry )for flights to Europe. Yes, I must stay overnight in Martinique on my return but I run that risk in Antigua anyway but perhaps mr. Skerrit can make arrangements with the French to put in an early evening flight into Melville Hal, say from Guadeloupe to Martinique via Melville Hall. on a daily basis. After all, Martinique is now an associate member of Caricom and the OECS. Lets’s look after Dominica’s interests first. That is what we have a Prime Minister for.
Something needs to be done. In January I was travelling from Antigua and because of LIAT’s disrespect I spent an entire day in the airport together with my six year and two year old children. We were told the flight has been delayed, then after twelve we boarded a flight to Dominica and just before landing the pilot announced that he had to return to Antigua because of technical difficulties. We had to get off the plane ad were given new boarding passes and ask to wait in the departure lounge. We met Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit right there and told him what we were going through. when we reach Dominica it was after 12 in the night. What more can we go through?
you sucking salt now hmm
What a JOKE!!
We have contributed millions of dollars for LIAT’s survival. But we have not negotiated the the right to know “before” changes are made affecting our island!!
But the best solution would be to sell LIAT to a private company!!
Wow Skerrit, all of a sudden you speaking up against Liat? Man, this has been going on for years but it appears you are the only one that is or was not aware. Is it just me or have other people noticed that Skerrit is paying a lot of ‘lip service’ in recent days (road repairs, geothermal, morrocan hotel, disaster fund, Roseau bridge, Liat…) I wonder why this is all of a sudden? Is he feeling a strong head wind again? Is the pressure increasing again, not only in DA but also abroad?
As deplorable as this is David Evans was asked to do an impossible job. His mandate was to make LIAT profitable, or at least be able to cover its cost. Yet, at the same time the airline is tasked to act as a kind of social service and remains stubbornly overstaffed. Mr. Evans should have realised that before he took on this task. If the mindset of the participating owner shareholder governments does not change, I do not see any improvements soon and it will be difficult to attract a quality CEO to run the airline and LIAT will remain a basket case. In the mean time mr. Skerrit must put the needs of our island first and seriously consider an alternative carrier(s) to compete with LIAT, as unpalatable that may appear to him. Secondly, he must the reduce the tax burden. It is ridiculous that the taxes associated with a flight to Antigua from Dominica exceed the actual cost of the flight. We must build volume to drive costs down.
Yes finally!! That’s what we’ve been asking for…..however, that being said it begs the question, why now? Who was affected by this flight that prompted such an action from the Prime Minister? This is a daily occurrence with LIAT as it pertains to Dominica. Nevertheless, I am happy and I hope this strongly worded letter will generate change!! #abouttime #tooklongenough #2ndclassLIATcitizenforyears
I continue to refer to the PM as Honourable, and this seem to be the Honourable thing to do.
How ever I would truly support the expansion of the airport and perhaps the rehabilitation of Canefied Airport to sustain international flights so that the country could develop. I cant wait to know that Jet Blue for example could make a landing in Dominica. This would require remodeling of course, but a step in the right direction.
I love flying out of Canefield, but it’s too small and the crosswind is too strong for it to support anything other than regional flights. But if Norwegian Air could be persuaded to schedule their low cost flights to Guadeloupe and Martinique year round, then connecting flights to Canefield could be scheduled to take advantage of them.
Mr. Foester, I support this kind of positive thinking. By all accounts the budget flights to Guadeloupe and Martinique by Norwegian are proving popular with the American public. Right now their schedules tie in with the cruise season but if our French neighbours play their cards right they could easily become an attractive destination all year round, not least because they are well developed and have the advantage of a cheap Euro. When that happens (not if) we stand to benefit too if we play our cards right.I agree that we should make greater use of Canefield. the twin Otter, as used by Winair for instance can operate out- & in of there with ease.
Alas the cancellation of the flight cause him to loose passport sales. It hit home boy. hmmmmmmmmm
Carcon, I never think about that before. Roosevelt Skerrit telling these new citizens no need to visit Dominica for their passport. It is because h knows how difficult it is to get here and that could piss them off before they commit themselves with their money. They just show them nice pictures of their new motherland instead.