Regional airline LIAT has announced that effective October 2 it will be reducing flights to and from Grenada due to a drop in seat demands.
Corporate Communications Manager Desmond Brown said the decision came following an assessment of the performance of the Grenada market.
“In recent times we have seen a significant drop in demand for seats in that market,” Brown said adding that “based on the results of market research we had no choice but to reduce the number of daily flights to/from Grenada.”
Brown said the airline will continue to assess the viability of the Grenada market.
Due to the cut back, LIAT announced the following change in schedule which will take effect on October 2, 2012:
Grenada will be omitted from the following flights:
LI 771 Barbados to Grenada to Trinidad
LI 727 Barbados to Grenada to Trinidad
LI 726 Trinidad to Grenada to St. Vincent to Barbados
LI 338 Trinidad to Grenada to St. Vincent to Barbados
LIAT will continue to provide three daily flights to/from Grenada as follows:
LI 758 St. Vincent to Grenada to Barbados
LI 772 Trinidad to Grenada to Barbados
LI 787 Barbados to St. Vincent to Grenada to Trinidad
LIAT is asking Customers affected by cancellations and the new schedule to check the LIAT website, the LIAT Facebook Page, their local LIAT office, or to call the LIAT Call Centre from Antigua – 1-268-480-5582; toll free from the rest of the Caribbean – 1-888-844-5428 and from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands – 1-866-549-5428 for information.
LIAT is not the only airline operating in the caribbean. Other airlines for example are Air Caraibes, Air Antilles Express and Caribbean Airlines.
Has any investigation been done to asses whether other airline can service DA flights from Martinique, Quadeloupe or St Lucia.
Are we in so deep with LIAT that we can not get out….
Let us not forget that a world recession currently exist, hence the slow down in world visit. Some countries countries/Islands are still doing OK thanks to the better organisation/planning and better access.
We should be hopeful however that the end of the recession will bear fruits, which DA is not ready for and currently is not planning for.
Those that believe that an airport is for profit should consider “why build roads that no one pay tolls for”. We need to have the Intl Airport to give a fighting change to showcase DA better, appeal to more people overseas to visit and investment.
WHAT WE LACK RIGHT NOW IS VISION AND THE BRAVERY TO TAKE RISK. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, NOT WITHIN THE CIRCLE!!!!!!!!!
All we need is a jetstrip for larger aircraft then connect it with melville hall airport by means of locomotive or a train service. Its more cheaper.
Liat is a waste of time. If another airline comes into grenada tomorrow see how fast they will reinstate flights into grenada. Liat is treating the people as if they have to be begging them and they more need the money because they are always crying. They are always employing a new ceo who comes with a wealth of experience, just to get a fat salary and talk nonsense, grow up Liat.
let us appreciate what we have Dominicans. Whilst we are looking at what other people/countires have and envying them they are looking at us and wishing they enjoyed the relative peace and tranquility we still enjoy. People wake up! I personally look forward to returning home after my studies to serve my country. Sometimse what we see as development is just pure trouble and corruption in disguise. Mark my words. Relax people and enjoy the independence celebrations. Wish I were there! One Love!
Chester you don’t care about workers, all you care about is your big money. Stop putting workers to the bread line. Times are too hard for this. Your arrogance and inept behaviour crippling the workers of Grenada. Come on Humphrey what say you.
..If Grenada people want to fly, regionally, all they have to do is jump to a neighboring island and make a connection there. Are you serious…how much more money would that be for them to spend?
So you are asking us, to build something that we will not be able to sustain, without subsidizing for empty seat. This would drive up the cost of flying into Dominica, the people of Dominica would have to pay for subsidizing the airlines. .
And how they “jumping” to a neighbouring island? Not by LIAT, just like us?
for your information it have ferries that run between islands down there use your head airplain is not the only way down there…
The reason why Liat seats in Grenada has dropped is that Caribbean Airlines now service that island. The flights are cheaper than LIAT so hence the demand for seat.
we’re waiting for CA to start servicing dominica… its about time man.
it seems grenada did not give liat 8 million
All the people who are commenting here have forgotten one simple thing, and that is Grenada have an International Airport operating.
The Grenada people are not duty bound to LIAT:
Even if there are people in Grenada who may wish to fly regionally, all they have to do is fly to Trinidad, next door or Barbados, and make connection to elsewhere.
They fly internationally out of Grenada, from their International Airport!
Dominicans on the other hand are totally dependent on LIAT, when Gonzalez, and LIAT and the Antiguan’s say to our country, and its people ” jump, ” it is not a mater if we jump, we have to ask how high do you want us to jump?
That is the difference between Dominica and the rest of the islands of the Caribbean. Unlike Grenada, we have a vice around our necks, no matter how tight it gets, we will not be able to reduce the pressure until we do what we should have done a long time ago and that is build an International Airport.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
I agree that Grenada has an international airport. hey they are going through relly tough economic times. Last month Grenad government could not pay teir civil servants.This month same situation. The Government is in the minority. This government is out by next year.This is Dominican in Grenada. Its really hard in Grenada. Electricity in Grenada id sky rocket. Its the wors in the OECS. trust me. In Dominica lets appreciate what we have.
*really, *their
Really? Couldnt pay civill servants, huh? But I thought the airport solved all problems and heres the thing – Grenada didnt even pay for their airport! Was it Cuba or USA, or both, that built the airstrip back when they had the revolution? And look at them today; they can’t even pay civil servants but we here in DA want our own? and we want to pay full market price for it. WOW! Dominicans really should rule the world! We so smaahht!
Yes, appreciate LIAT, you have appreciated LIAT for fifty (57) plus years, many Dominicans born and has not survive 57 years, they are all dead, and LIAT still cannot survive as an solvent, and viable airline!
Here you are commenting on Grenada’s inability to pay civil servants, but you have forgotten how many times our own government has been in that same situation.
Not to long ago the equivalent of the former public works department could not pay workers, so what’s the deference?
That is common in the Caribbean, and especially in the Eastern Caribbean, from St. Kitts to Dominica and beyond, and let me tell you something had not been for Antigua International Airport, the entire governmental system would have long collapsed way back in the 1970’s
I in particular is not concern with which government loses power next year, my concern is that the powers that be in Dominica trample on their political blonder and build an International in the country, out fear of development has taken our country a hundred plus years behind Grenada, and the rest of the Caribbean.
Appreciate what: LIAT, wait, you have something coming, as soon as St. Vincent International Airport gets up and running you will find out what happen to LIAT.
For all I suspect, you will have to swim from Grenada to Dominica if you ever wish to visit Dominica in the not too distance future.
Hope your stomach can tolerates plenty of salt water!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
sorry mr telemarque….all this is pure rubbish you are speaking…
We are not addressing a critical point with the airport –
Already we are 30 years too late and IMHO should not be built at all. However Dominicans are insistent they want it. Then the critical factor required is brilliance. That team in cabinet must also be honest and possess the shrewdest of business acument to ensure that this outrageous mistake first, costs the least amount possible, second, minimizes the inevitable increase in taxation required to help pay for it and third, still meets the highest of standards.
NOT LABOUR!
NOT UWP!
So shut up until Dominica such cabinet is in effect although such a cabinet wouldn’t build it at all but anyway once we see that in office then and only then talk about airport.
And I can assure all of you that airport will result in every man jack paying PAYE. At least that’s a positive that finally every resident Dominican will pay their dues towards their demands of Government. So PAYE even if you earn EC$500 a month or you are retired because too many retirees talking they want airport so fine! it will come out of your pensions.
If Grenada wants to fly more empty airlines into Grenada, they should further subsidize the airlines and play broke (Like St Lucia) and then tax every citizen and passenger more.
The results will be Pilots taking practice landing, o ito the terminal, relax for a bit and then head back out.
They still get paid.
DOMINICA PLEASE DON’T FOLLOW THAT MODEL.
That is the dumbest comment ever.DNO please delete this comment cause it is embarassing to the people
when fools don’t understand they call it dumb.
So let me explain to my little girl.
1. Grenada is going thru some tough economic times
2. They received budgetary support from St Vincent (last week)
3.They are subsidizing airline to land in Grenada
4. The volume of Air Traffic cannot bring in revenues (we call this taxes) to keep things afloat
5. It’s an economic warning to all the OECS Counntries
Fisical Management …do a google on this an report back to me
I agree with you. I attempted to travel to Barbados via st Lucia and could not believe the taxes out of St Lucia. I therefore cancelled that plan and went directly out of Dominica to Barbados. I am sure a lot of people may be doing the same. At least for now, the taxes out of Dominica are not as bad as those out of the other islands which is pushing up the airfares on LIAT. I do not know if people realise that all this talk of international airport, that the government would have to pay or subsidise the empty seats? Airlines do not go into countries where there is no money to be made. BA has just cut back their service to Trinidad. Come on folks, be realistic and stop thinking of your ONE flight back home a year if as such.
Thats the truth my brother, Grenada is going through its worst economic times and Dominicans say that they going through problems and still travelling. LIAT is not the only Airline that is feeling it. Airlines fly in and out of Grenada empty into this white elephant.
Is Grenada a transit hub? No. Does Liat service international flights into Grenada? No. So will these Liat flights affect international travelers going to Grenada? Why do u think they have an International Airport? To serve Liat flights?
Liat has its own issues. Didn’t u hear our Tourism Minister talk of 4 new airlines interested in accessing Dominica. I thought we were putting $8 million into Liat for more service (flights) but we still short on access.
Grenada should have cough uo some millions like Skerrit and that would have been avoided. Pay for de empty planes. I wonder why Ian don’t want to name the airlines. Maybe he now looking for dem.
Wishful thinking
The point of the international airport is that build it and they will come so where are they if the airport can’t even drum up enough business for the local airline?
Further and most importsnt, the airport is supposed to generate so much business in that island that it has the economy pumping so businesspeople from all over the caribbean should be pouring into Grenada via LIAT to devour some of the pie not so?
You building a billion dollar airport so foreign airlines can drop of tourist alone? The airport is supposed to generate for every single industry and create new ones.
DUH.
or what are you suggesting? That we dont need LIAT because a Dominican businessperson will fly on Delta, for example, or Lufthansa, to Grenada? which implies that Delta and Lufthansa will have flights from Dominica to Grenada? lolololol you people make me laugh on a daily business and I thank you for that.
Any airline coming to Dominica will always have to leave their problems for LIAT to carry on. LIAT is here to stay.
the region is empty. people only come back for festivities. too mucch political corruption, peeople can’t stay home.
This is serious! Amerijet is pulling out of Dominica early next year! So if LIAT pulls back it’s service here as well as in Grenada how will all the students at Ross Medical University get here??? Dominica really needs the University has anyone put two and two together! How would Dominica truly function if Ross Medical University had to pull out and leave due to lack of air transport!!?
But based on this Government Policies you don’t see all we are repeating is negatives points..
the best think the labour has done with Honour.
Is Making Dominica the Poorest!
Have you put two and two together????
correction Amerijet is cargo not civil transport
Feeder airline
Dominica next….
Why are we so negative towards our home land? Please, please fellow Dominicans, let up always lift up our beloved country – Dominica.
that you wish, people like you will never see that happen. Political tribalisim is something, God help us in this country.
Kingman, have you seen this quote before?
“Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.” —Groucho Marx
That’s the reason why all countries struggle and the gap between the aisles is so wide. The focus is too much on individualism rather than collectivism.
not god, skerrit
SO LIAT with only 40-something seats to fill is cutting back flights but Grenada has an international airport doesn’t it? I thought that fixed all problems?
How much does the Grenadian government spend every year subsidizing the foreign airlines for their empty seats into Grenada?
Anyway lets ignore all that and huury and build ours too so LIAT can cut back their service and we can spend millions every year subsidizng foreign companies for empty seats! Boy! We are just the smartest set of people eh? we should be ruling the world!
A very valid observation. We should face reality, painful as it may be. False pride is a very expensive commodity.
well this is the first time that LIAT has the cojones to actually do market research and act on it.
Wow…not good news at all…
Crisis all over…but in the end the better policy makers will pull in through…
Can’t say if my homeland Dominica have any sort of planning during these hard economic times..
My Homeland could be a Haiti in Process at the Moment…
But wait… Grenada has an International Airport right?
But there is a drop in airlift?
Dominica on the otherhand wants to increase its airlift and people outthere want to crucify DDA for doing the right thing!!!!!!!
Dominicans are really relatives of sharks (translate in creole)
@ q11 great point thats what i been saying when they crying for international airport tell check stt airport the top part closed,all we need is good size one and more morden one.
some people believe and international airport is a big fancy buildng… but its only a rcommended airstripe to accomodate all sizes of planes… the building dont have to be an elaborate structure.
i see nothing wrong in going for that standard, cause if we have it we would not have to build it when everything prices is will be astronomicalin the future..
the excess of the 300 million spent on melville hall could have put dominica in the spotlight…
DO NOT TRY TO DEFEND CRAP