ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, November 03, 2010 – LIAT, the Caribbean airline, has responded to a request from the Air and Seaport Authority of the Government of Saint Lucia, to provide an emergency air bridge for ferrying passengers between the country’s two airports as a means of facilitating transport and communications on the hurricane-battered island.
LIAT’s acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Brian Challenger noted that immediately upon the request from Saint Lucia, the Company mobilized efforts to respond.
He indicated that LIAT was able to provide shuttle services in transporting returning UK-bound holiday makers on Tuesday afternoon, within minutes of the country’s international airport being opened to international carriers.
“LIAT has recognized our responsibility to assisting the people and Government of Saint Lucia in the aftermath of this disaster and we are pleased that we have been able to make this practical assistance available at short notice,” he noted.
The LIAT official pointed out that the company would be continuing its efforts to provide shuttle services between the north and south of the island with the aim of transporting both tourists and locals.
He indicated that while initial efforts had focused on transporting visitors leaving the island, it was expected that tickets to the general public would shortly be made available for sale.
Mr. Challenger commended the efforts of LIAT’s Saint Lucia-based staff which had provided service to the public even while their own personal situation had been adversely affected by the passage of the storm.
“Saint Lucia has always enjoyed a reputation as being one of our strongest and most capable stations and the efforts to provide service to our passengers immediately after the devastation caused by Hurricane Tomas is testimony to the level of commitment that the Saint Lucia LIAT staff have for their country and Company,” the acting CEO noted.
Mr. Challenger also applauded the decision by the airline’s pilots union (LIALPA) to voluntarily approve for its pilot members to operate on off days for extra flights required for the emergency service.
we love you liat
The P.M. of Trinidad and Tobago should take a page from LIAT’s play-book. Service ahead of profit; a friend in need is a friend in deed! LIAT’s service is not for free but it’s committment to helping a CARICOM member in the aftermath of a disaster speaks volume about the CEO. These are the people who foster CARICOM unity. Hats off to you sir and the pilots and staff of LIAT.
WAY TO GO LIAT!!!
A first time for everything. Good work liat
GREAT JOB LIAT THE CARIBBEANS NUMBER ONE AIRLINE. I HOPE MR ALLAN CHASTANET WILL FIND TIME IN HES CONSTANT BASHING OF LIAT TO SAY SOMETHING POSITIVE TO LIAT MAKING ITS AIRCRAFT AVAILABLE TO ST LUCIA TO FERRY PPL BETWEEN ITS 2 AIRPORTS. HES A KNOW CRITIC OF THE AIRLINE AND HAS CONSTANTLY CALLED FOR IT TO SHUT DOWN. WAY TO GO LIAT,DESPITE ALL HIS NEGATIVE REMARKS ABOUT YOUR COMPANY YOU HAVE PUT THE PEOPLE OF ST LUCIA FIRST LIKE YOU HAVE DONE IN SERVICING ALL THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS YOU SERVE.
MR CHASTANETS VERY OWN MINISTRY HAS NOW COME TO EAT HIS VOMIT.