Former Antigua PM says “no” to scrapping LIAT

Former Prime Minister Lester Bird has rejected the suggestion by the Vincentian leader for LIAT to be scrapped and replaced with a new airline.

Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines and head of LIAT shareholder governments, made the recommendation last week following three days of industrial action by pilots.

However, Bird, the Political Leader of the main opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP) said, “The solution to a labour dispute cannot be the creation of a new legal entity. Prime Minister Gonsalves’ proposal does not address the issue and further complicates the finding of a reasonable solution in quick time.”

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19 Comments

  1. Get ur facts
    December 14, 2011

    Caribbean people don’t know what they want

  2. Anonymous
    December 13, 2011

    Didn’t out Govt just buy into LIAT and now Gonzo is talking about letting it go. What does that mean for our investment?
    These guys need to seriously look LIATs issues instead of just throwing money at it. Liat may also need to leave Antigua inorder to reduce cost. Their cost of living is high and that could contribute to overall cost.

  3. TJ
    December 13, 2011

    Mr Bird & company has thretened to revoke LI landing rights if the home base of LI is ever moved from Antigua consequently, his comment is for the 300+ jobs LI creates in his Country. Mr. Gonsalves you have always protect LI, are you seeing the light. I avoid LI when possible.

  4. Satelite
    December 13, 2011

    For once Mr. Gonsalves has placed his ear on the ground and is listening to the cry of the populace. It’s about time to do something good about LIAT. All the C/bean governments who are holding up LIAT should let them fall, cause I know Liat cannot survive on its own, NEVER! It’s high time we change or adopt another form of travel between the C/bean islands. One airline company should never be or hold a monopoly in the C/bean skies and causing everyday loyal travellers LAGONY, INCOMPETENCE, AGGRAVATION, and TEARS. (Liat)

  5. bougla
    December 13, 2011

    Yes it would be nice to have new aircraft like small jets instead of turbo prop.

    • Stocy aka Albert
      December 14, 2011

      seriously small jets CAN land here, but the things is it not practical to have a jet island hopping…

  6. Fairplay
    December 13, 2011

    The Pilots have too much power!!! Yes LIAT needs to be replaced with a new company and give three year contracts to pilots.

  7. Caribbean Man
    December 13, 2011

    Mr. Bird has exercised some wisdom and maturity in that issue. He is correct, not because LIAT is housed in Antigua, but this is not the fix. Government must however get out of the running of the airline;that is the real proble promlem here…souvien political bias and corruption. Otherwise, LIAT, like UWI and the West Indies Cricket Team, and even LIME are brilliant ideas.

  8. Rabbit Ears
    December 13, 2011

    I think the governments need to get out of the business of running an airline and let the private have unfettered access to the market. They need to stop placing barriers to entry into the air travel market.

  9. T. Winston
    December 13, 2011

    A new airline should be formed to give Liat competition but that’s not the way to solve a labour dispute which began when a pilot was fired (supposedly unjustly). Negotiate and come to an amicable solution. Basically without pilots you don’t have an airline because there isn’t any unmanned planes flying passengers around…

  10. BJ
    December 13, 2011

    This is where Liat main office is housed i expect no difference from lester. Liat is a waste of time and money. LIAT = Luggage In Another Terminal or Leave Island Any Time.

    • Gaza
      December 13, 2011

      woye woye ha ha ullu not nice na LATE I AM TODAY

      • lala
        December 13, 2011

        LIAT = Life Isn’t about traveling!

    • Channel 1
      December 13, 2011

      LIAT – Lost Inter-regional Air Transport :)

      LIAT – Lost In-between Antigua & Trinidad :)

      LIAT – Lateness Is A Tradition :)

      • Stocy aka Albert
        December 14, 2011

        one more:
        LIAT- Lazy Imbeciles At Terminal

  11. BJ
    December 13, 2011

    This is where Liat main office is housed i expect no difference from lester. Liat is a waste of time and money. LIAT = Luggage In Another Terminal or Leave.

  12. Cerberus.
    December 13, 2011

    Here you have it, if any proof was needed! Pure naked political interference in the running of a company. No commercial enterprise can successfully function in this manner. An alternative would be for a majority of shareholders to insist that LIAT heaqdquarters be moved to a more neutral location, say Barbados.

    • I see
      December 13, 2011

      Then those bajans will sh** on people from the other islands.Hell no to Barbados

      • me
        December 13, 2011

        @ see…i agree with u

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